War against Iran?

Question

I'm looking for substantiated opinions about the possibility of a USA versus Iran war and predictions on it. Though I oppose war and I'm not a bookie either, it seems a popular subject - so let's.

The USA have a defense budget of 518 billion dollar. Iran are at 4.3 billion, for comparison UK are at 43, Germany 35. The USA have some 108 ppl fit for service (54m men, 54m women between 18 and 49), Iran have 30.6 (15.4m men), UK 23.5 (12m men), Germany have 28.6 (15.2m men). (Source: CIA factbook)

So, though Iran does not have an overly rich or modern fighting force, it is a force to be reckoned with for sure. Considering that the enormous forces the US can gather are in good part already spent on Iraq and Afghanistan I wonder if they stand a chance. Should Iran get support from neighbours Pakistan or Russia surely the US need UN support - and I wonder if they'd get it after the Iraq debacle. There's my view, what's yours?

I'm not from the USA. Also I am asking for substantiated opinions here. No talk of 'terrorist states' then, especially coming from Americans I don't think that could be given credence.

"The USA have some 108 ppl" is wrong unfortunately, I meant 108 million people.

Answer 1

Outstanding question, and you have done your homework in reference to the statistics you mentioned and of course the CIA factbook. I would like to address some of the things that a person would not know about Iran unless lets say had more that a CIA factbook to go on. First, the Persian people are ten-fold more proud of their culture than any Arab. Second, for every 100 Iranians there are 10 secret police. They sit in cafe's, or in the internet cafe's, the young people hot spots, and conduct surveillance, monitor conversations, and spy on their own people.
Iran is full of weapons handlers, mercenaries, and masters of the art of espionage, and these people are well protected, and are above the law. The young people do not want a war, but as I said they are very, very proud to be Persian, although there are a few underground organizations in Iran that would love to go back to the time of the Shah as oppose to an Islamic State.

Now, a military question you asked...a war with the USA versus Iran..not likely in any time soon in the future. Why? Because although we could go with a straight Air Force campaign, it would take an allied force equal to the Second World War to conquor Iran. They would fight any oppossing force first coventionally, but then they would result in pure guerrilla tactics. The terrain of Iran is hard, and of course they know every inch of it. Iran would get support from Russia and my friend also from China, thereby putting the US in a very, very tough situation both internationally and finacially. China may or may not support militarily, but they would logistically, and a US naval blockade in the Persian Gulf may bring a different message to China.


Iran as you might of saw on their military maneuvers on CNN, has a combination of Soviet Union and US equipment. They have US equipment because of the time we supported the Shah, and although it is not the most lethal, it is very deadly. They have the best quality weapons from the former Soviet Union, and factories that can re-build most parts so they are not dependent on Russia to supply them. Iran does have Suraface to air missiles that can hit US Fighters, but no the Stealth Bombers, and does have a very sophisticated radar system.

The US needs to finish in Afghanistan and Iran first before any military action towards Iran. Unless we bring back the draft, and ALL of america is at war, to include it's industries and will of the people, a ground war in Iran would not be a good idea.

Answer 2

Wow , what a subject !

America has cornered itself into some kind of action against Iran, by blabbering about it, and blowing things out of proportion ! ( as America does always )

This business with nuclear enrichment, is loads of crap, just another rallying call for the misinformed. Iran is no where near having nuclear power technology, never mind the bomb !

America knows, it can not really win with Iran ! Iran is too big, forget about Afghanistan and Iraq ( which incidentally are still being fought to this day ! how many YEARS has it been ? ) , Iran has a huge military arsenal, very proud people and very patriotic. Saddam, with all his power ( mostly supported by the west to begin with and Russians towards the end ) and savagery ( chemical warfare ) could not dent Iranian spirit, and finally lost !
So a full scale war is out of the question . USA might decide on a small Aerial bombing raid , which will not achieve anything militarily, as we have seen in the past. If Iran retaliates, and should sink one of US ships in the gulf, then it might get out of hand ! Although the Mullah's have been very clever these days, so it is hard to anticipate their move .
Pakistan will not involve itself, it is too dependant on US money and handouts, Russians may help behind the scenes, but not openly, they too have no wish to face USA, but can not also allow US troops in Iran.
It is very complicated, and the Iranians have been defiant and have kept their cards close to their robes !
We will see some action, when (and if) Iran oil bourse opens for business , that's USA's real worry !
The beginning of the end of "Petro-Dollar" !!

Answer 3

there are many possiblities and none are good. if the war is started

1. Other Arab countries might make a stand with Iran and it could start WWIII.

2. If other countries do not support Iran but also oppose war, US do not have a strategic basing near Iran and that's the worst you get in a war without any support whatsoever nearby.

3. If other countries do support US and has succeeded in occupying Iran, looks what's happening in Iraq. Remember Iran is the root of Huzbollah, Al Quida and other terrorists and they are seasoned and unbeatable in terrorism.

4. If the war is started, US popularity will shot down again to may be this time to 0 and looks what happens to economy. US$ value is running very low right now and if there's another war, there should be another shaken economy again and left US hollow.

c'mon, if Bush is stupid, there are others around who could think of such situation and it's pretty obivous why there is no firm respond from US's willing to use force in Iran until now unlike any other situation in the past.

Answer 4

Why should anyone attack Iran? They don't have nuclear weapons and if attacked would cause at the very least a total war in the Middle East with disastrous consequences for the economies of the rest of the world. Since the United States knowingly attacked the weakest country in the region - Iraq - we have essentially given that country to Iran. The US will not get any support from the UN since they didn't bother with a resolution before attacking Iraq. Other than pure military hardware, we don't have enough "boots on the ground" anyway to attack Iran, nor do we have enough funds - unless we borrow more money from China and Japan. The whole idea is ludicrous.

Answer 5

you know a lot of people think china is on the fence. and russia seems to do what ever china does. china has a military force of 25 million active where we have 2.5 million active and in active. so if china jumps on irans side what does that mean well i dont think we would do anything. even with all the help form alies it just wont happen now if it goes the other way yes i think we may jump in and try to fix up the middle east but how can we after spending 300 billion dollars on iraq we as a nation are broke. honestly i think we should bring the boys home and have a strong home defense. and from there be defensive. on a internationl form we look like real bad people all i have to say is god help us.

Answer 6

War against Iran and Afghanistan are imminent.If the political situation in Iraq improves ,Americans will withdraw from Iraq with a puppet Govt there.Next move is to strike Iran.Iran is more dangerous to USA than Iraq.It was a wrong priority.Iran being the hub of Islamic bomb and terorism a strkie on Iran has to be there.As the terrorist from Iran will escape to Afgan follow up action is there.Finally the Terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Nuclear installations in Pakistan has to be finished to ensure complete eradication of terrorism.The rogue nation of Pakistan has to be tackled directly by USA or throuh indirectly through some other country.An allout effort on Muslim terrorist nations is overdue.

Answer 7

hi, the middle east are still in conflict with Lebanon and the Gaza strip to bring Iran into the equation is asking for trouble , iran somehow thinks they are morally superior than the west with there morality police , and think that god is on there side when in fact they are stoning to death people and hanging young girls in public which is medieval in this day and age ,Then these people are trying for nuclear weapons they already have the uranium from what i understand, it wouldn't be a war it would be a wipe out there could be another Hiroshima in this day and age . God loves he doesn't hate so how they can put the bad things both sides do down to god is blasphemy

Answer 8

Great question but having just returned from shoveling horse muck, my brain is not quite in gear enough to give you a legitimate answer. The other answers have made for interesting reading though.
As much as I spit venom, I cannot abide war. The fact that we all choose to squabble on such a small planet, when the resources to enable everyone to have a decent standard of living could be utilized so much more efficiently, is so unbelievably tragic.
The news is the best contraceptive I know...

Answer 9

I think the way will be that there may be surgical strike's however Iraq need to be sorted and the Iranian are possible playing a bit of brinkmanship as although we are possible in need of a stable oil flow the middle east really could do with out another war at the moment

Answer 10

Simple answer. Iran fought Iraq for seven years and got nowhere with over a million dead. Period. US fought Iraq twice. Less than three months to topple the government and force a surrender of it's armed forces. Both times. The first time around Iraq had the 4th largest army in the world, with top of the line Soviet weapons. As for a base of operations, the US has one now don't they! Iraq. Right on the border. As for troop deployments all the troops they need are on the ground in Iraq right now. No doubt though that they would be fighting resistance for years.
To stive br - What world do you live in? US broken? Christ they stayed in Vietnam 11 years
and killed millions of Vietnamese, Somalia, Clinton broke, we had 18 killed and just over a 100 wounded. Between 5 and 10 thousand Somali casualties, Iraq, Just over 2 thousand American dead, Iraqi's over 100 thousand dead, Afghanistan same story. Where is the Taliban, and Saddam now? Hezbollah may be telling you they destroyed something but other than a few houses in Israel I can't find it!