Had Iran captured American sailors what would America do about it?

Answer 1

All their nuclear research centers would be plies of smoldering rubble by now.

Answer 2

We would probably be doing the same thing, listening to public opinion and trying not to offend anyone, when we should be putting together a military force and heading to Iran. No, I don't believe we should go to war everytime someone does something we don't like. However, when it is an act of aggression against our citizens then yes any country should stand up and take offense. If the British sailors were in the wrong then say so and let it go, if it was an act of aggression by Iran then deal with it harshly so it doesn't happen again.

It reminds me of a kid that keeps getting into to the cookie jar. You tell them once not to do it but don't punish them. So the next time they want a cookie they just go take one because they know nothing is going to happen to them. If you had punished them the first time they would more than likely not do it the second time.

Answer 3

It's a hard one to call but I think they would be doing the same as we are now.

There would be no point taking military action without a UN resolution to back it up and that is very unlikely with Russia being on the Security Council blocking whatever move the UK or US would take.

Remember what happened 30 odd years ago when the US tried to rescue their hostages, it was a disaster. I don't think they would try that again especially with the US military stretched all across the Middle East as it is.

Answer 4

I don't think that they would go to war over it. USA has a lot more economic and political clout than UK. They could put real pressure on countries to isolate Iran. We can do sod all, basically. I think Iran has done this to try and drive a wedge between UK and USA by illustrating how little help we can expect from the US. But I don't think that will happen, and there is little tactical advantage in Iran holding on to our chaps for too long. They should be released pretty soon.

Answer 5

Move more battleships closer to Iranian waters, warn Iran in public to immediately release the prisoners, give them a deadline, and bomb their military installations unless the prisoners were released before the deadline. Capturing soldiers or sailors is an act of war and the US would respond militarily quickly.

Answer 6

Well, with the Democrats in charge in Congress now, we'd offer to buy the soldiers back, apologize profusely for being on the same planet, and blame President Bush for lying to the American people about where he took his last vacation.

Answer 7

My guess would be to do the same thing the british are doing because even Bush doesn't want to pludge us into a Nuclear War.

Answer 8

well that would depend . if a republican conservative was in office , it would be over in 48 hours , after we called Iran and told them we are about to bomb them ( see Ronald Reagan 1981 )
Iran was so scared of Reagan and his no BS approach that as soon as he became president they released all of our hostages


if a democrat was president (see Jimmy Carter )
we would cry , offer them a million dollars , say we where at fault , call the UN , hold talks at camp David while holding hands and singing we are the world . only to have Iran cut their heads off and ship them back to us COD

Answer 9

Probably, exactly the same as the British Governement is doing.

Short of declaring war, a diplomatic solution is the only option.

Answer 10

Probably the same thing the Brits are doing. Neither country has the manpower at their disposal to launch a full blown war to get them back.

Answer 11

The same thing, but with more hysteria.
Fox News would be thrilled! Feed the masses with 'We told you this would happen with Pelosi as Speaker!'