The lack of democratic control of the foreign policy in most (major) countries left many deplorable legacy issues the international community still has to deal with today. Colonialist adventures intruded on the organic historical development in many regions of the world. One of these regions is the Middle East. When Western powers condemn the Iranian Government and demand an end to the development of nuclear capabilities is is difficult for them to reject the accusation that they are hypocritical. Iran has been subject to intervention by outside forces on numerous occasions during the past two centuries but as far as we know the country has never posed a threat to any of its neighbours in that period. Of course, the world would be a safer place if no nuclear weapons existed at all but the countries that are armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons must make meaningful steps to reduce them and be subject to exactly the same inspection regime they try to impose on Iran.