Hardly. Is this why we are supposed to accept Bush's lack of response as really "intelligent" instead? Nice try. Looks more like we're taking the threat seriously, same as we did in N Korea..and have decided to allow their nuclear status, since we do not have the stomach [politically!!] for real fights. [Our military of course could kick their ass gladly, but they will not be given the chance.]
Can they back up their threat? Yes, somewhat.
Somewhat? What does that mean? Propaganda, even on our side is still very obvious propaganda.
Will it bring down a rain of hellfire on their heads? Yes, somewhat.
This must be a joke.
The mullahs are in no position to take on the US militarily.
And you base that on what premise?? They wear diapers on their head?
When you hear the news that a few more carrier groups are heading to the gulf then you can figure game's on.
Wake me in the 23rd century so I can watch.
1. Rockets - What about them? We have rockets too. Lots and lots of really good rockets. We test them all the time (we own the oceans). We have the satellites, we have the intel assets and we have the strategic advantage. We can hit them from any angle in the world.
Unfortunately for the mullahs, our rockets and bombers can reach them anytime, from anywhere. How far can they fire a rocket? How many times? What's the actual capability and payload of their hot-rodded scuds? What are their precision targeting capabilities? What happens when their launch sites are all destroyed?
2. Propaganda - Yes, the Iranians can back up their threat to make trouble in A'stan and Iraq, somewhat.
Here's what it means: They can create tactical problems through infiltration and support of internal forces in both countries but they can't change the strategic picture (which is the basis of their threat) because, as you note, they are not on a military par with the US and will not risk open war.
3. Rain of hellfire - somewhat: No joke pard. Maybe you imagine a US response to an Iranian provocation as some all encompassing Armageddon. I don't. As was obvious during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the US has the capability to attack in measures. That means the ability to control the tempo and to control the target list. The Iraqis lost control of their assests through destruction and confusion. They lost the ability to react effectively because they didn't know what the hell was going on.
The Iranians would face that same problem if they decided to try to force their way into Iraq or A'stan. How long before they cease to become an effective fighting force under those circumstances?
Outcome: Rain of hellfire, somewhat, to the point that Iran could not field a cohesive fighting force. We ain't Iraq circa 1980.
4. Yes, they wear diapers on their heads. That is exactly their problem. If you think otherwise, make a case where some muslim army has defeated a western army sometime since the middle ages.
5. Go back to sleep. The mullahs days are numbered and they know it.