No, they would have to have allies that actually have any military capabilities to support a long term war. They do not and nor do any of their allies. Of which the INT community depends of the strait, that means everybody from the USA, to China will flip the hell out. US is taking lead because we are actually have the resources and a standing fleet to support such a skirmish if need be.

Not hardly. Iran's military is no match for ours. Their planes will be shot down almost immediately if they take to the air. Their navy will be sunk very quickly. They don't have that many allies and none of them pose a serious threat either. There's nothing about this that would result in WWIII. It would be a short skirmish, at best.

WW3? really, yes they said the same thing about Iraq and it being worlds 4th largest military (at that time) how did that work out (Desert Storm). College semesters lasted longer than that war and the leaders screwed it up in the end too. Iran better realize that the US will be on all their borders and that they'll need to import oil if they keep it up.

@RalphH

What about Iran threatening to destroy Isreal? Our ally? and what about them wanting to destroy the US the great Satan nation. And that they (my opinion) are working towards nukes, wasnt there a russian deal with Iran to trade their uranium for Thorium fuel rods which cant produce the the element required to make a nuke, Iran shot that down.

They don't let scientist check locations they want to help clear them of this suspicion. They found that back in what? 1998 Iran worked on detonators that only work for nukes. They have the ability to clear up any misunderstand about them building a nuclear power plant if they just let the scientist look around the required locations. But they don't so they have to deal with the sanctions.

Iran threatening and working towards nukes is a problem and a threat to the US from what they said.

if you have proof that im wrong, Please provide it, so i can read and adjust my opinion.

I wonder what the war mongering republican party will cry about regarding this. Maybe they will find a way to say, "See, I told you Iran was evil, but the President doesn't know how to lead a military.. blah, blah, blah" forgetting that this president has been more successful than anything Bush has ever done ( or Romney wishes to do) as president when it comes to foreign policy and war! Take care of this swiftly! It is affecting gas prices...

Why is it that gas goes up fast but goes down real slow...

let them shut it down. boom boom out go the lights. gives the military a chance to rotate their inventory

Iran can shut the Straits down for a few days, but that's about it. It would cost them far more than it would cost us, but threats are free.

AG99 - In '88 they couldn't even keep it closed for a whole day.

AG99 - It would be impossible for Iran to set up a blockade to shut off the entire straight, they don't have the ships or mettle.

The free flow of oil out of the Persian Gulf has been declared a U.S. vital national interest (one of many) for decades. i.e. one we are willing to go to war over. All countries in the world declare their vital national interests at the United Nations to help each other understand what is important to each particular country. Leaders from around the world know these declarations (which I think should be better publicized) so this type of threatening rhetoric from both sides is silly. If Iran tries to close the strait the US will try to stop them.

@RalphH

Are you willing to pay 10/gallon if the straites become closed, and washington inacts gas rashoning again. Op no fishing 4-wheeling... or jobs. Iran is even not liked by most of the other muslim contries are not to fond of iran.

@Jon S.-885496

Its not a vital interest to russia or china, these countries dont need the straits.

The last time I checked, the threats to shut off an international waterway (which there can be no denial would be an act of war) are COMING FROM IRAN, not the U.S. or Israel !!

I think if Iran wants to defeat the US, it should launch a surprise attack against the enemies military infrastructure around the Strait and destroy them. And If I led the republic, I would secretly build up the armed forces. Maybe a 15 million strong army and launch invasions of the Arab Gulf States possibly including Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, I would ensure that my allies, the Russians and the Chinese Empire have exclusive access to all oil from the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for military aid against the US and the west.

They wouldn't be complete aggressors. The US are provoking them with the sanctions, an act of war.

Only in the minds of those looking to excuse outlaw regimes like that of Ahmad*ckhead are economic sanctions "acts of war". Economic sanctions are used to PREVENT war, not provoke it. That is why they don't work on psychopaths like Ahmawindbreaker, Saddam or the Lil' Kims, "leaders" who are always looking to start trouble !!

Since the subject of "acts of war" has been brought up, EXACTLY WHAT was taking our U.S. Embassy in Tehran for over a year if not an act of war ?? I'll add the slaughter of 241 U.S. Marine Peacekeepers in Beirut to the list of offensives Iran has perpetrated on the U.S. and the rest of the world for the past 33 years, but even without it, they had better beware of the U.S. Military. They've been owed a beatdown from us since 1979 !!

Hasbara? Jews = Cowards? Texas Tea Punk is just another name for Hugh Class, a boring Jew baiter who shows up everywhere using those tired terms.

And Ralph H has also shown up...the guy who is best known for repeating several times that "the Jews killed Jesus," showing that he is a classic Jew baiter. Heil, heil, the gang's all here.

Tell us your opinion about the bigoted Israeli lawmaker who had torn up a copy of the New Testament

Did he threaten to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, because unless he did, he is irrelevant to this thread.

Posting the usual "Zionist" this or "Jew" that hate when discussing the Iranian regime's THREAT to block the Strait of Hormuz rates a BIG, FAT FAIL with me, because it DOES NOTHING to debate the topic of the thread, which is Ahmabigdummy's latest threat !!

Texas Tea Punk Michelle Bachman on phone requesting advise. You sure do have a grip. Your one smart dude ( needless to say Eyes rolling)

We fought to a tie with a bunch of rice farmers (Vietnam).....ruined OUR economy.

We fought against Saadam and accomplished nothing but waste a trillion dollars and kill and maim a few 10's of thousands of Americans.

We spent 1 trillion to fight to a tie with people riding donkeys on dirt roads.

We can't keep our military ship from being hit by an oil tanker (oil tanker is just about as slow and slow to turn as anything afloat)......but "we" are going to kick ass?

Written like someone who thinks war is a football game. Of course never been in the military or they would not make such dumb comments........We are so tough (WE??)

Bills-Fought to a tie? What @!$%#ing war(s) have you been studying? Viet Nam was lost at home not on the battlefield, Afghanistan was a victory, I was there, and it was a win-don't believe me? Watch as the females go to school and the Tali-Ban rules a cave. You are a dim-witted ass. There is no power on earth like the U.S. Military you ass-hat.

Sincerely,

A United States Marine who'd love to help you see the light

breeze, I have seen different reports that in the opening moments of any confrontation, that Iran could actually do significant damage due to their substantial array of missile sites on the coast. I have also heard that Iran has a significant number of small boats that could wreak havoc in the short term and again do damage. I really hope we don't find what their capable of. I am going to have to look into this some more.

That has been reported and most likely true. Doubt seriously if they could sink a battle ship or missile carrier though. However, no one is under the illusion that Americans casualties won't happen. One thing is for certain Iran's military complex will be uterly destroyed and their nuclear program would be right behind.

adam, I agree with you on sinking of a vessel. Iran has many, many portable missiles that can be deployed at a moments notice. They have again many small armed patrol boats that again can enter into the picture. While I do agree that Iran would not stand up to our navy, their quick first strike capabilities give me something to worry about. Lets hope it does not come to that. The whole middle east situation make me nervous.

Breeze - read this. Are you promising a "Cakewalk" like the Zionists did with Iraq?

Zionist
warmongers like Ken Adelman and the Zionist Washington Post pushed the war in
an editorial titled, “Cakewalk in Iraq.” Jewish supremacists Richard Perle and
Paul Wolfowitz told you that Iraq would “Welcome us as liberators.” Iraq became
the longest war in American history. Here is a report from USA Today: “Pentagon
officials estimated for the first time Wednesday that up to 360,000 Iraq and
Afghanistan veterans may have suffered traumatic brain injuries.” Now that’s
not counting tens of thousands who have suffered maiming, amputations, or death
in this war based on lies.

While the war may or not be based on lies your post is based on ignorance and bigotry, just like all your other posts. I understand you feel that Jews are superior to you and as such feel you must hate them, but havea bagel with a schmear, tear down the Adolf poster, throw away the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and chill. By the way you abject moron Iran is Israel's biggest threat and they NEEDED a strong Iraq as a counter balance against them. Irag was an operation planned by right wing Christians.

Punk -

Iran mining the shallow waters of the Gulf and firing Chinese Silkworm missiles at all those fat oil tankers lumbering off the Iranian coast with 40% of seaborne world oil supply in their bellies.

April - 1988

Texas Puke : We heard you the first time and you are still repeating the same stuff that no one cares about. The only tankers parked off Iran are Iranian, and if Iran sinks them you honestly believe this will sink the US economy? You have no idea what makes an economy strong, the more oil the US explores & drills for strengthens the US economy, to h3ll with Iranian oil. If or when the US falls as a superpower, it will be strictly because of its own inhabitants have lost pride in their country and have given up fighting for freedom; you see Texas Puke, fighting for freedom and fighting for peace are 2 different things... right now the US isn't fighting for peace, only freedom from tyrants like Iran.

I agree 100% K.Truant

If we had a conflict with Iran the people who are currently suffering under this regime would be very happy to see the regime get there ass kicked..

The chance that the US as a superpower would fail is pretty hard to do considering we have the largest standing Citizenry Army in the World 8)

wow i guess the punks been watching bill o to pick up all those fancy words. you forgot to include me im a high school drop out. wanna compare bank accounts mister i know it all or are you still paying off those student loans

People don't even know why the real reason for all this militarism by the US, theirs plenty of countries that need help but they just invade countries that have resources a wolf in sheeps cloth, it's hypocracy, they are sorounding Russia with a missle system that Russia said they will have to do a pre emtive strike on because they feel threatend, they are incircling China and Iran. Global domination = ONE WORLD ORDER they are even sorrounding us it's citizens with the NDAA bill, 30 thousand drones, camaras everywhere, the patriot Act and so many more laws! Iran was controlled by the USA when they had a dictater then Iran had a revolution to get their freedom from the tyrent put in place by the USA that killed it's people, since then the US has bin trying to take control again they even convinced Irak to go to war with them to try to get controll, it lasted 7 years and millions of people died. All the weapons Irak had were given to them by The good old USA even the Chemical weapons he used. American better wake up and realize what is going on here it's not ok that over a million people have bin killed since the start of these wars of aggression, As Martin Luther King said a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Chainy companies get the contract to rebuild Irak after they destroy it, the military industrial complex makes arms deals, the Federal Reserve printed 15 trillion doller atleast which we pay threw inflation a hidden tax, ever wonder why prices are going threw the roof, they make US bail out the banks that caused the problem, while the American people loose their savings, retierment, jobs, homes, careers and so much more with the biggest theft in American history. The threat is not foreign but Domestic as money junkies have taken control and will stop at nothing to establish total control & a new world order the picture is clear!!!

Well said.

Like the saying says:"THERE IS NO MORE HOPELESS SLAVE THAT THE ONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW IS A SLAVE"

Open your eyes people!!!!.

The powers that be use scare tactics all the time to get their way.

And remember:"there is nothing to fear but fear itself".

Precisely. Maybe I overstated it a bit with the WW3 moniker, but face it, this could escalate into something really terrible. An earlier poster said Russia and China would stand by and watch, wanna make a bet???

Jeff - The war in Iraq was planned and sold by Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith, two Zionist neoconservatives. Wolfowitz is the acknowleged architect of the Iraq war. My post was based on fact, not bigotry. Your posts are nothing but Zionist propaganda and lies.

If you feel Jews are so superior, why can't they get by on their own. Why must they bring America into the picture to support their sorry a$$es and protect them from Iraq and Iran? You Jews have been driven out of more countries than you can count, starting with the Romans. Was it because you have no loyalty to anyone, but a fellow Jew and would sell out your country for Israel, like Zionists did on 9/11?

The Senate (Including Rand Paul) Vote to Extend $9 Billion in Loan
Guarantees for the Benefit of Israel

Have you heard about the the "United States-Israel Enhanced Security
Cooperation Act of 2012"? It was written by Eric Cantor.

The House passed their version [H.R.4133] on May 9, pledging unlimited loyalty
and riches to our "special friend" Israel, with only two congressman
dissenting- Ron Paul and Democrat John Dingell of Michigan.

The U.S. Senate passed their version on Friday June 29, 2012. Known in the
Senate as S.2165, the measure guaranteed an astonishing $9 billion dollars in
loans to Israel (plus all fees and interest!) in addition to giving
"military assistance- stockpiles of defense articles" valued at $200
million for 2013 and $200 million for 2014.

Boxer praised passage of the bill, stating "I am so pleased that the
Senate moved quickly to pass this important bill, which reaffirms the important
bond between the United States and Israel and helps ensure that Israel has the
necessary tools to defend itself in this time of dynamic change in the Middle
East."

Initially seeking documentation of which way turncoat Rand Paul voted on this
treasonous bill, I tried to find the roll call votes. But as Harry Reid pointed
out during the session, "THE NEXT ROLL CALL VOTE WILL BE AT NOON ON
TUESDAY, JULY 10". The Senators passed this bill anonymously, in a
so-called "voice vote"!...

After tracking down the actual video of this travesty, which was no easy task-
(they seem to make these things hard to find on purpose)- it was like watching
something straight out of the twilight zone. Two old guys in suits mumbling
under their breath in a strange monotone fashion, with the entire U.S. Senate
taking literally less than six seconds total to squander 9 BILLION DOLLARS from
the American people. A true outrage. They did not even call out each Senators
name so that their constituents can hear whether they voted yea or nay.

The bill will soon be sent to Obama for his signature. By going to http://thomas.loc.gov and typing the term United
States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 in the search box,
one can read full details on both the house and senate versions of this bill.

The Senate version summary states that

"it is U.S. policy to: (1)
reaffirm the commitment to Israel's security as a Jewish state, (2) provide
Israel with the military capabilities to defend itself and help preserve its
qualitative military edge, (3) expand military and civilian cooperation, (4)
assist in a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that
results in two states living side by side in peace and security, and (5)
encourage Israel's neighbors to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish
state.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should take specified
actions to assist in Israel's defense.

Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend authority
to transfer certain obsolete or surplus Department of Defense (DOD) items to
Israel.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend authority to make additions
to foreign-based defense stockpiles.

Amends the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend
specified loan guarantee authority to Israel.

The law required that a Senate report
be done on the bill. The law required that a
Senate report be done on the bill. On June 27, two days before the voice vote,
Skull and bones member John Kerry presented the obligatory "written report No. 112-179"...

The report states "That the interest rate for loans guaranteed under
this heading may include a reasonable fee to cover the costs and fees incurred
by the borrower in connection with this program", but then goes on to
state "That funds made available for assistance to Israel under chapter
4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may be utilized
by the Government of Israel to pay such fees to the United States
Government"!

So we can charge them interest and fees on the $9 billion dollars, but then let
them use our money to pay the fees!

We should vote the slimeballs who passed this abomination out of office, especially the Jews who wrote and introducesd the bill. It is a clear conflict of interest. But, why would that bother a Jew?

Stick around, Jeff. Ralph H might get around to saying once again that The Jews Killed Jesus.

...you think they'll sit by and watch all their billions of Income get blown up???

Yes I do. I can remember a country that was made up of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (states) disintegrating into Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuanian, etc. without a war. And to make matters worst, some of them joined NATO. No war then either.

Things to make you go "Hmmmmmm?"

Much of those lands were never returned to them after Stalin took it by force during WWII. Prior to that it was the Crimean wars when the Brittish and Czars were fighting for trade routes.

Obama's done pretty good at waging war, assassinating US citizens without due process, blowing up wedding parties and such.

Yea, Obama is pretty good at waging war. A war...ooops...wars he didn't start. Hmmm...now if I recall correctly who was that...hmmm...Bush!

Enough political bull! Both parties are no frilling angels! Please, let's keep this on subject.

I'm pretty sure Osama started it when he ordered planes flown into the Trade Center towers. All I hope that someone in the U.S. finishes it--decisively. I don't care what party the belong to, etc.

You do know GW was the prez when the planes hit the WTC towers, right? I must be missing something.

Perfectly said Steven B - Mike RICE RMCS U.S. Navy (Retired)

Once again showing that Americans have zero understanding of strategy. We can own the battle tactically all day like we always do, but we always fail strategically.

Jsaff..."...but we always fail strategically"? Before anyone calls Jsaff stupid, let Jsaff explain how he/she came up with his/her last statement.

Yeah Sure.

We spent 1 trillion fighting people riding donkeys living in mud huts...... and we are not winning anything.

We read about Navy ships colliding with each other and for god'e sake an OIL TANKER??? Sounds like McHales Navy. The only butt that will be kicked is the butt of the US tax payer.

The military spending is killing our economy, but that is where congress gets all its bribes (campaign contributions)

We are going to borrow money from China to blow up their oil supplier? We get almost all of our imported oil from Canada, Mexico, and Venezuala.....so why are we there? Europe gets its oil from the Gulf. So we are going to war to protect the oil supply of Europe, so their car manufacturers can continue to export to the US, and we will borrow the money from China while we shut down their oil supply.........

TOOTH FAIREY LANDING SOON.

If we would convert some of the tank and aircraft carrier factories to solar panel factories, and GIVE the panels away to every manufacturing company in the US, would we be competitive with any factory in the world? Would we be importing factories in stead of exporting jobs? Would we need any oils from elsewhere?

Hair trigger not required, guaranteed the first shot will be 100% intentional & accurate! The US is not naive nor blind, you think telling Israel to hold off was to see if sanctions worked, HA! It was so the US can have a decisive plan in place with ALL required ordinances pointed at their intended targets prior to Israel getting any green light. The US does not take the Iranian military lightly, rightfully so... but they will not back down over the straight. In '88 Iran managed to close the straight for maybe 4 hrs before losing a few boats to the bottom compliments of Uncle Sam.

I believe something else is driving this. Just a theory: The U.S. is providing intelligence to Israel that portrays Iran as the instigators of every recent assault on Israel's interests. And of course Israel is buying it, hook, line and sinker, like I say, just a theory. It concerns me that Israel is isolating itself and becoming a militaristic State without a Diplomatic agenda.

Nope, I didn't forget it but you might have. Your "80% of the American population wanted to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan" should read "80% of the American population wanted to go to war in Afghanistan."

Show me where 80% of the American population wanted to go to war with Iraq?

Put me in the 20% for both wars. Do we never learn? Saw the damage WW2 did to my dad, Nam to my brothers, husband, and friends. Sure wish the President would 'earn'that damn Peace Prize.

Jay - Please explain what closing the straits has to with going around the horn of Africa. The straits are the ONLY way out of the Persian Gulf, if it is closed there is no way any ships will get in or out. We'd have to buy oil from our neighbors in Mexico and Canada (who want to sell us all we can use if we build a pipeline for it). You see theTRUTH is America doesn't need middle east oil, Europe does. Maybe THEY should worry about keeping the straits open?????

I think Jay has confused the Strait of Hormuz with the Suez Canal.

I suppose so. Thanks Brian.

The U.S. is concerned about the Hormuz Strait because OPEC bases the value of oil from the Dollar. So it directly effects our currencies value.

Not to mention the secret mystery of mercantilism that exists along the Silk Road. An ancient trade route that resides between Western Capitalism, Eastern Communism and countries that have groups of people that want Theocracies.

That's just the big picture for me and the possible conflict of what we been witnessing all these years.

How about neither? I say we spend even ten percent of the $600b+ to put solar panels (eventually) on every roof in the US AND employ hundreds of thousands of Americans (including returning vets) into NON-OUTSOURCEABLE, HIGH-PAYING JOBS.

Being efficient with our energy use, the average family could get most, if not all, of its power from natural gas and solar. At a (large-scale production) cost of about $30K per installation, we could put solar on 2 million homes per year AT A 100% REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR 4 million per year at a 50% reimbursement rate.

In less than 10 years we could: 1) Provide energy for well over 40 million homes in America, 2) Employ almost every able-bodied person, 3) Reduce our oil consumption to almost nothing (while retrofitting American vehicles to run on nat. gas and/or electric from our homes), 4) Stop fighting wars for oil, 5) Slash the military budget in HALF, and 6) Reduce health care costs (due to minimizing pollution - This would save California ALONE more than half a billion $$ a year!)

Hell, with a grand plan we could transform the very nature of our country. It would require sacrifice but, wouldn't energy independence be worth it?

Those fighting such a massive transformation would be power comanies, coal companies, and oil companies. I don't know about anyone else, but I wouldn't feel all that bad about pi**ing these people off! They've lived off of gov't subsidies, monopolies and handouts for far too long.

Absolutely right.

Convert the tank factories 1st. there is not s single tank in the US for defending the US.

Place solar power on every manufacturing facility 1st, then follow with all the hospitals and homes.

The daily military budget exceeds the annual budget for energy research. The dumbbells in congress think building tanks that will be parked is a good way to create jobs. Creating a solar panel that would be used seems so stupid for them

I hope it doesn't come to SSBNs. SSGNs or SSNs, yes, but beyond that we're probably all screwed.

But, when a pesky little kid bugs you and bugs you and you repeatedly ask them to stop, and they don't, you may have to swat them down to teach them a lesson.

Who's taking oil? Heck, the Chinese are going crazy in buying up mineral and oil rights in Afghanistan and Iraq. I don't give a damn about the oil, the point remains is that the Taliban and Ba'ath Party in their respective countries needed to be destroyed and removed from power for the good of humanity.

And as for analogies...you don't talk to snakes. You kill snakes.