[AnotherUnixGeek]

The Islamic Republic of Iran poses one of the most troubling threats to energy security. Because of its recent military buildup, Iran now has a much greater ability to interdict the flow of Persian Gulf oil exports than it had during the Iran–Iraq War. Iran’s arsenal now includes sophisticated mines, anti-ship missiles, submarines, and aircraft procured from China, Russia, and North Korea that will make defending the Persian Gulf a much more difficult task for the U.S. military.

Any attempt by Iran to disrupt the transport of oil through the Persian Gulf would result in severe military strikes against Iran and the cutoff of Iran's own oil exports. Iran could cause a lot of pain for the world's oil consumers, but only at the cost of economic and military devastation to itself. Hopefully there are enough rational actors left in the Iranian regime to be dissuaded by the consequences.

[Edgerunner]

Therefore we should do nothing when Iran attacks ____________ (fill in country)?

If Iran is so tough, where are their aircraft carriers, or nuclear subs? If they stop oil revenues, I'll wager we can go longer than they can without their oil. If they can shut down the Persian Gulf, then why do we have a Navy? I know the Iran-is-mighty FReepers will flame me, but that is propaganda and it doesn't change the ground truth...

[b4its2late]

Recognize and prepare for the threat.

Yeah right..... After November 7th, that's out the window.

[doug from upland]

Well, it's really a good thing we haven't been allowed to drill off the coast, drill in Anwar, create new nuclear power plants, and create windmill power that blocks the Killer Lifeguard's view.

[Ancesthntr]

Screw Iran. Things work 2 ways - they need money more than we need oil for a couple of months...and they REALLY need refined gasoline.

Here's my solution to Ahwannajihad's blather and bluster: Let him, and the world, know in no uncertain terms that if Iran is even suspected of being behind a WMD attack anywhere in the world, the US Navy and Air Force will destroy every petroleum refinery, every air base and every naval base in Iran, at the same time that the Marines and Special Forces seize Iranian oil platforms. Yeah, it'll create a few headlines, but it may save tens of millions of lives.

Oh, and screw Pelosi (politically speaking, of course), Murthaphucher, Dingy Harry, Chuck the Schmuck and Fat Ted (Drunken Murderer, MA) if they don't like it. Bush is still the C-in-C for another 26 months or so.