In a recent Times online (UK) piece entitled "Here's a way to deal with the scorpion", Middle East analyst Amir Taheri offers his advice about how to deal with Iran. In short, he is one of a growing number advocating the use of economic weapons:

The Western democracies could give the Islamic republic a taste of its own medicine — and engage it in the kind of low-intensity warfare that Iran itself indulges in. The mischief must not be cost-free. It would be resisted though diplomatic and economic means as well as through support for the democratic and reformist forces inside Iran. Throughout history, adversaries end up by adopting aspects of each other’s strategy.