It all seems so clear and simple: Under no circumstances must the fanatical mullahs in Tehran get their hands on the atomic bomb . If they don't comply, they will have to face the consequences, even up to and including war.

But what evidence is there that Iran is actually pursuing nuclear weapons? And is this conflict solely about the bomb?

In 2003, the US led its "coalition of the willing" into war with Iraq. But to this day, there is no trace of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. In 2012, an attack on Iran threatened – for similar reasons.

Is the West in danger of waging the wrong war for the second time within a few years?

Michael Lüders explains why Tehran is in the crosshairs and questions apparent certainties. He recounts the history of Iran since the overthrow of Prime Minister Mossadegh in a British-American coup in 1953. He paints a vivid picture of the Islamic Republic and describes the power relations between the Mediterranean and India.

The book demonstrates how dangerous an attack on Iran would be. It would not only strengthen the hardliners around President Ahmadinejad and weaken the opposition. It would also, the book argues, set the entire region ablaze and backfire on the West. A courageous plea against a war that could shape this century like the First World War did the previous one.

Author: Michael Lüders

Number of pages: 175

Languages: German