The $64,000 question

[tedzbear]

The Big Question is: will Iran actually use a nuke if we bomb them? Or will they save the planet and keep their nukes under wraps until next time? I am hoping they will keep a level head even while under attack and wait for the chimp or Sharon to use nukes first. They know they can cause pain in other ways...why use nukes first when it would only get them bad press? They will do much better sealing off the Persian Gulf and getting Sistani to declare a jihad against America.

[havocmom]

1. Their potential to close off the Gulf is why Syria should be worried

Pipeline to the Med would make SO many oily guys happy

[tedzbear]

3. I think the chimp WILL bomb Iran because...

it will allow his oil buddies to sell $5.00 a gallon gas once Iran starts retalitating, AND he will gain the support of the American people. They are notorious for supporting our government during big wars once they start.

Bombing Iran is a win-win for the chimp.

:nuke: Iran = 3rd term for chimp.

[cvoogt]

2. bad press will be the least of their worries

when nuclear war breaks out. Iran's gov't and leadership may be fanatic, but the people are highly educated and can hold nuanced views of the world, which is more than I can say for many in the US ... I think diplomacy can go a very long way here. However, if Israel is involved in these plans (and AFAIK it is), it becomes a lot less predictable ... there's a real "Zionist conspiracy" paranoia that is cultivated by Iranian gov't and press. On top of that there are the old memories of European and CIA interventions.

Iran has said recently it exercises great control in the Gulf. I think this puts them in a strong negotiating position.

[Massacure]

4. Especially with those sunburn missiles Russia sold them.

Those would cost the U.S. a pretty penny or two if war broke out.

Besides, Iran won't have to worry about getting attacked if they prove they have a bomb. Not even Bush is stupid enough to watch 100,000 troops get killed in under half a second.

[tedzbear]

6. Or Tel Aviv vaporized in half a second.

There goes our non-turban allies!

[tedzbear]

5. I think you are right.

Even if the chimp bombs their reactors they will stick to conventional weapons. They can create enough pain for the USA/Israel without resorting to nukes.

It may well be a win-win for the chimp to perform another surgical preemptive strike against Iran, but it will be a win-win for Iran also when it is clearly the defender sticking to conventional weapons for retaliation.


Now maybe we should get on our knees and pray for the future of our planet just in case...

[brown6004]

7. Iran won't use them on us...

They'll bomb Israel first. It's a no-brainer. If they pull Israel in the fight all the Arab nations will be up in arms. BTW, I think Bush is going to do it. Why else would we redeploy a whole division back to Afganistan (i.e...82nd Airborne).

[newyawker99]

10. Hi brown6004!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bobweaver]

8. Frankly I think they are eager and anxious to use them against the U.S.

[jjtss]

9. I don't think they have a delivery system

A first strike against Israel will align the UAL and put G.Brish under
pressure to desist. I do think that Saudi Arabia does have a delivery system engineered by the US

[cvoogt]

11. and we're making it easy for them

since their rockets can only reach Europe .. so now they can actually reach American troops, with us being in Iraq and Afghanistan. we have bases in the middle of nowhere in the north - those are in Kurdish territory and would be targets IMO