How Bad Could Iran Hurt The United States?

Question

Economically, Militarily etc.

Answer 1

Their most lethal attack would come from a nuclear bomb the size of a briefcase. The lethalness of this attack would be limited only by the number of them they could get to "terrorists" inside the US.

Answer 2

Iran is more of a threat to Israel than the United States. However, Iran does have the ablitity to damage our economy by using terror tactics, either by doing something or by causing the United States to spend excessively on defensive measures. I'm concerned about the Iranians developing nuclear capabilities, but I"m far more concerned about Pakastain, who all ready has them! That's a scary country, with a shaky dictator, who is hated along with the United States. That's where the Taliban originated and where Bin Ladin was thought to be hiding, so think about what would happen if that regime falls, OMG! Hopefully, the Bush Adminstration will not be so fixated on Iran that Pakastain gets ignored. If Bush wouldn't have invaded Iraq our troops could have been more engaged in Afganistain and kept a close eye on Pakastain. Plus, we did the Iranians a favor by taking out Sadam, he was one of their enemies. We distrubted the balance of power in the region, and think that is why Iran is pushing the limits.

The one thing I don't understand is why in 27 years there has been very little attempt to normalize relations with Iran. Is it because of our ties to Israel? Most Iranians are not anti-western, they are one of the most liberal Islamic countries in the region. I just watched as show, about this. They do have a Theocracy, but the people are not as religious as the people in Egypt. Anyway, one of the shows I have seen on Iran, had an author, who studied in Iran and visited several other Middle Eastern Countries, she said most Americans would be suprised by the pro-western feeling most Iranians have, they are not like their leaders.

She said the feelings in Egypt were very anti-western, for the most part they hate the United States, but she also said they were polite and were able to seprate the US Government from the citizens. I'm talking about average people, not some raging extremists here, lol.. I'm sure the same could be said for most Americans if we were to talk to an Arab person, who visited the United States, well I hope.... Some Americans can be pretty nasty and racist, which I have seen here a few times. I'm sorry it's just ugly. I have a friend, who is of Indian decent and he has been called a camel jockey several times, when he was walking to work. How stupid is that?

sanrun

PS Why do I get the impression from some of the conservative posters, that they are indeed racist and hostile? Why is there no desire to understand people, who live outside the United States? And don't give me that liberal terroist lover crap. It's not about loving terrorists it's about understanding people outside the United States, so we can better understand how and why terrorist movements start, so we can create the best defense against them! And this includes killing terrorists, so I'm not advocating a group hug. Drop that stupid line, too, its' old buddy!

sanrun

Answer 3

Iran itself could not do too much damage at this point. The big problem they pose is to the middle eastern countries and themselves. Our biggest concerns are 1) They have attacked our allies in the region.
2) They support terrorists who can and have attacked the US.
3) By controlling the region they could cut off our biggest supply of oil, causing shortages and economic havoc.
4) From the humanitarian point of view, they have attacked their own people when religious or political differences have arisen.

I served in the region and have many friends throughout the middle east, and I am constantly amazed at how self destructive some of these people are. They are a people rich in history and achievements, and they are killing each other off in phenomenal numbers.

Answer 4

We all saw what 9/11 did to the economy. Now think about what a suitcase nuke going off in the lower Manhattan could do. Say it happens close to or on Wall St. How far will stocks tank after that? How long would it take to reincarnate the NY Stock Exchange somewhere which wasn't glowing?

Say only 25,000 people die instantly, that's over 8 times as many as died from all the attacks on 9/11. How will anyone in any good sized city feel safe after that?

If you though that 9/11 changed America, imagine how much America will change after a nuclear device goes off in one of our cities.

Answer 5

Why would Iran or for that matter any other nation want to hurt US if US refrained from oppressing them in the first place? It wasn't Iran who came up with the doctrine of pre-emptive strike to initiate attack against US. It hasn't been Iran that used its secret service to overthrow a democratically elected government which the US did to Iran. And what was US doing supporting Saddam when he was using poisonous gas against Iranians, especially the Kurds there? It is sad when one sees Jews with ulterior motive and empty-headed American red necks express their ignorance by their support of the Bush administration. For Zionists I don't have much to say because they're dirty and cruel, but for other Americans, for God's sake, for Christ's sake wake up and smell the coffee.

Answer 6

Irans goals are mainly economic , they keep threatening to shut down the Straight of Hormuz .
Which would cause the price of oil to jump into the hundreds of dollars

Answer 7

I believe Iran has many terrorist over here already.9/11 would be a drop in the bucket compared to what Iran is capable of.

Answer 8

The question is really, How much does Iran oppose the world domination trying to be obtained by America, the UK and Israel and how much of a local threat is Iran to Israel?

Answer 9

we're not doing such a good job and many of our man and woman are not coming home , when will it stop who knows and in the end who will have won I don't think anyone will know for a long time. It's a sad situation over there no matter what.

Answer 10

Pretty damn bad.

If they were to drop a nuke.

We would attack them back, but it would be devastating here in the U.S

IF if were to happend (i hope i dont offend you) your son will have 5 penises and 4 arms.

(i hope i dont hurt you again) come to think of that, if would be kinda funny to see someone like that...LOL

and the shmuck a head of me. I met a bunch of jews, and they were the nicest and smartest people in the wolrd. They dont have any motive, and its liberals like you that keep the possibility of another holocaust alive.