Is Iran a threat?

[Henri-kutsu]

I personally think so. The obvious clues, and proof is undenyable. President Amidimajad(sp?) openly said he wants America, and Isreal to burn in hell. He also said that Isreal will burn in the fury of Iran. He wants the apocalypse, so the 12th Amam to bring about a world that is under a muslim rule. He also wants all westernized countries to burn in hell. Iran hosted the international Hollocaust denyers convention. The Hollocaust happened to the jewish people. Isreal is a jewish nation. So what is one of the countries Iran hate? You guessed it. Isreal. They may achieve this through nuclear capabilities. They are less than years away from a nuke. If you see on the news that, Iran won't allow international inspecters, watch out.

[II Xion II]

I say 'yes' as well. Iran sure as hell will stand for terrorist groups and will likely even provide them with weapons, support, and possibly even WMDs for their attacks against the West.

As much as I disagree with Zionism, Israel should not be under threat of their very existence nor should they be destroyed. I doubt Iran is brazen enough to actually attack Israel, let alone with nuclear weapons, but by having those weapons they will be able to deter Israel from attacks, to support attacks os supply attacks against other countries, and wield significant political force just like North Korea (which has yet to shut off its Yongbyon nuclear reactor even with a U.S.-sanctioned extended deadline when the U.S. released North Korea's funds).

Iran is like Germany in WWII right now. No, not in the "taking over the world" sense, but in the sense that they are testing international reaction and disengagement policies. That is why there is so little faith in the "international peace" groups.

[Artemis]

I reckon that they are a threat.

Not right now, but in the near future.

their intentions are quite clear, and their capabilities are obvious...
maybe its just a matter of time...

But before that, benefit of the doubt may be the best route for now...

[GoldenFire]

Can you guys please define 'threat' ?

Can anyone explain how iran, who is about 6000 miles away from the US is a threat to one of the most advanced countries in the world in anyway? Has there been any terrorist attacks in the US since sept 11?

Is Iran a threat just like Iraq was a threat, which turned out they didn't have any nuclear weapons before? Remember that the press like to twist and turn things, and so far everything has been talk and no action... I'm hoping that the press don't take advantage of everyone's paranoia while putting a spin on things. Especially on US news channels, which I have watched and are extremely biased compared to news channels around the world.

[Helikaon]

America is binded by their UN agreement on Nuclear weapons.. Let me tell you.. Bush would never veto that. Would Iran care about any agreements.. (not sure if they have made any) no.. they wouldnt they are going to supply it to other organisations and take the blame off of them. So yes they are a threat.. But in saying it in general you are only referring to Americans.. not the other countries that you didnt mention.. So to me.. Not at this stage no they arnt a threat.

[GoldenFire]

Would Iran care about any agreements.. (not sure if they have made any) no.. they wouldnt they are going to supply it to other organisations and take the blame off of them. So yes they are a threat.. But in saying it in general you are only referring to Americans.. not the other countries that you didnt mention.. So to me.. Not at this stage no they arnt a threat.

They have made agreements and kept to them, for example they have allowed inspections by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency and are being done based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and general safeguards agreement. They have so far cooperated, I don't see any problem there, also Russia has offered to aid Iran in its nuclear programs (used for energy and fuel). Also I don't know what you mean by 'threat'.. what is defined as a 'threat'. To the US I see Iran as no 'threat', every country has countries that they don't have close relationships with, that does not mean they are automatically a 'threat'.

[Artemis]

Can you guys please define 'threat' ?

Can anyone explain how iran, who is about 6000 miles away from the US is a threat to one of the most advanced countries in the world in anyway? Has there been any terrorist attacks in the US since sept 11?

distance doesn't really matter nowadays. Why travel, when your weapons can?

And sure there hasn't been a DIRECT attack on US, but other countries have. Not Iran exactly, but heres an example:

The October 12 Bali Bombings in 2002.
it took the life of 202 people, more than half were foreigners. and what's more is that 88 Australians were killed in there. Let's not forget that Aus is a full-developed country. (Aus is actually where i'm from...)

Even though the Bali Bombings are connected to the 'threat' of Iran, it still shows that even the most strongest countries can be attacked and cause massive damage.

If you don't consider Aus on the same level as US. Then remember the London bombings in '05.

Two countries, on totally different sides of the world, both got attacked by the same type of terrorists.

Terrorism has no limits.

[GoldenFire]

I sort of agree with you there on the part of terrorism, when it comes to short distances you're probably right, but larger distances should be taken note of. It would take hours and hours for something like a missle to get from iran to the US and thats not very realistic, hundreds of things are likely to go wrong when you try something from such large distances. They can also just as easily be seen, intercepted, tracked and destroyed etc.

The Bali bombings were done by a terrorist group, not a government, what is the connection between Iran and the Bali bombings anyway? Also even if there is a connection, there was also connection between US and Iraq when the US provided Iraq weapons before in the gulf war, wouldn't that make the US the bad guy later on? The answer is no.

Also it is only a massive damage when compared to the mortality in western countries in the past, not to be insensitive but if it were compared to some less developed countries then the mortality rate from such attacks would be almost insignificant.

Also we are talking about terrorism, not Iran. Terrorism has probably always been there, its just that the media have blown it up in size. You're right terrorism doesn't have limits because there are so many independant and different groups, don't think that all terrorist groups are islamic extremists and connected, when that is very far from the truth. Terrorism may continue, yes, but that does not mean Iran is a threat nor involved in such activities without solid evidence rather than accusations.

[skyoon]

It would take hours and hours for something like a missle to get from iran to the US and thats not very realistic, hundreds of things are likely to go wrong when you try something from such large distances. They can also just as easily be seen, intercepted, tracked and destroyed etc.

On the contrary, its very realistic (though admittedly not the kind of technology Iran could have within a decade). ICBMs have ranges in excess of 5000 miles and can hit a mulitple targets with nuclear payloads within an hour. Only thing preventing them from being launched is that all the countries that have operational units are relatively friendly with each other. Scary thought, isnt it? :redbiggri

[Helikaon]

Golden.. I said that they would supply other organisations.. not do anything themselves.

[GoldenFire]

On the contrary, its very realistic (though admittedly not the kind of technology Iran could have within a decade).

Then its not realistic for iran :P

Golden.. I said that they would supply other organisations.. not do anything themselves.

I know, I may have mentioned that somewhere in my ramble, but I'll clarify. I don't believe they will supply threatening organisations with arms without some sort of solid evidence to back that up. Its not right to make decisions based on assumptions and accusations thats all I'm saying.

[phantom_ko]

Iran may be a 'threat' but I'm not too sure if whether or not she is willing to risk international relations to attack the U.S. If Iran was to be found to have any affiliation with any 'terrorist' attack I don't think they will be same as before(bombed?).

[mooks]

I am sorry for saying this... i will probably heed a warning, but i feel its necessary.
This is ridiculous!

As GoldenFire stated,

"Can you guys please define 'threat' ?

Can anyone explain how iran, who is about 6000 miles away from the US is a threat to one of the most advanced countries in the world in anyway? Has there been any terrorist attacks in the US since sept 11? "

OK, maybe i am not exposed to the same level of "what ifs" and "maybes" that are there in the US. But still!

I don't even know where to begin: should it be the misinformation of Iran's progress regarding nuclear energy?
Or maybe the use of political rhetoric as evidence to start a conflict with a potential enemy?

Even when it comes to the Holocaust convention issue...
I don't deny the holocaust... its not possible! the level of death and destruction simply cannot be hindered or watered down in any way. BUT it is true that Israel will refer to the Holocaust as a scapegoat for many inexcusable actions.

Other groups were persecuted and killed by the regime, including the Roma, Soviet POWs, disabled people, gay men, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholic Poles, and political prisoners.
Many scholars do not include these groups in the definition of the Holocaust, defining it as the genocide of the Jews, or what the Nazis called the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question." Taking into account all the victims of Nazi persecution, the death toll rises considerably: estimates generally place the total number of victims at nine to 11 million.
The official death toll of Jews was 5.89 million, but will round it off to 6 million.

You do the math. This "Holocaust denyers convention" is an exagerrated form of a rumor. It was a convention to remember the other victims of the holocaust that so many of us have forgotten. Don't get me wrong, it was terrible what happened to the Jews and it disgusts me every time i see a reference, but they were not the only victims... thats all im saying.

Although that is besides the point, just wanted to clear that up...

the Russia-Iran nuclear deal ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4301889.stm )
is nothing new... and after years of cooperative work. The US decides "we don't like that" and tells Russia to cease its co operation. At the drop of a hat, just like that... "oh sure, never mind the years and millions spent on this, we will drop it. anything else? fries maybe?"
Why didn't they say anything back in 1990 when Russia and Iran signed a $800 million contract for a nuclear plant at Bushehr on the Gulf coast?

Why now? so it looks like "Iran is aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons" ??

Even the director general of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei is trying to get all parties back to the negotiating table, but guess who doesn't want to be a part of it? (no, not Iran).

Mr. ElBaradei made clear his doubts both about calls for more sanctions and the international community´s emphasis on suspending enrichment.
( http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/IaeaIran/index.shtml )

Look, we all know what happens when the US goes against the judgement of every international body, so should we really go down this road again?

[hunter101]

Iran is a threat. They have oil (resource), idealology (muslim) fanatics, the link to many other peoples whos thoughts are of destruction (u are wrong but i am right) and they are not going to play on a international field

[VampyreLord]

Iran is a threat most of all to it's own citizens:

A recent crackdown saw women wearing veils which were considered "too revealing" were called prostitutes assaulted in the streets by police, before being arrested and dragged off. This worse than even medieval oppression of women!

Teenagers as young as 15 are publically hanged for the "crime" of homosexuality. How barbaric is that?

Inflation is soaring due to incompetent governing and spending too much on weapons. They've also had to introduce petrol rationing - pretty embarrassing for one of the world's largest oil producers.

The aggressive foreign policy (kidnapping British sailors etc) could trigger a war which it would probably lose. The biggest losers of all would be the Iranian people.

Their government is, frankly, vile. Something should be done to introduce a secular state.

[VampyreLord]

Iran is a threat most of all to it's own citizens:

A recent crackdown saw women wearing veils which were considered "too revealing" were called prostitutes assaulted in the streets by police, before being arrested and dragged off. This worse than even medieval oppression of women!

Teenagers as young as 15 are publically hanged for the "crime" of homosexuality. How barbaric is that?

Inflation is soaring due to incompetent governing and spending too much on weapons. They've also had to introduce petrol rationing - pretty embarrassing for one of the world's largest oil producers.

The aggressive foreign policy (kidnapping British sailors etc) could trigger a war which it would probably lose. The biggest losers of all would be the Iranian people.

Their government is, frankly, vile. Something should be done to introduce a secular state.

[mooks]

Iran is definetely a threat, like you said... but to its own citizens, not to the extent of international danger where military intervention is the only option...


The Iranians hate the US, thats no secret.. and they will continue their hate with a passion.

Given the recent history, events like Operation AJAX, support for Reza Pahlavi, the privatization of Iran's oil infrastructure in the 50's, and Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright apology to the Iranian people in 2000 for the United States' role in the overthrow... (which was taken the wrong way by the Iranians, by the way)

But the recent allegations by the US of producing Nuclear Weaponry... even when the IAEA formerly stated that there is no threat by their nuclear projects- has ofcourse angered the Iranians passionately... I mean, it must be a really insulting gesture to admit intervening in the countries civil and political policies... then seven years later state that they must abide by certain happenings or be forcefully stopped by any means necessary.

I have no doubt in my mind that the US will attack Iran... and for whatever reason they give- will be based on faulty intelligence, half guessing or alterior motives such as those of Iraq. I forget what the real reason for invading Iraq is up till today... was it for WMD's? removal of a tyrant? or to bring democracy? or maybe a greater battle against Islamofascism?

This may be quite sadistic for me to say... but I am actually quite anxious to hear the reasons and arguments for invading Iran. The Iraq process was entertaining in a chilling way- both terrifying and awesome (in the literal sense)... from the WMD evidence and intelligence- to the Al-qaeda and taliban connections- to the desperate desire to remove a despot threatening the fabric of freedom and peace (lol! the wording reminds me of captain america comics!) to liberating a desperate and oppressed people... and look where they are now!

looks like the sequel will outdo the original

[Loko Moto]

Okay I'm just so pissed it, after the first I stopped reading, so I kinda the 2nd page in anger...

I'm a muslim, from Kuwait ( it's near Iran, but Kuwait's in the Middle east ), but my heritage is Iranian and if a single person from here has actually seen what's going on in the Isreal - Palestine war you wouldn't dare say the things you are saying.
I do watch the ABC and NBC news and such and I'm disgusted by what they report. It's all biased, they only air a one sided story, to defend the Isrealites, and making Iran look like a barbian countery...

Iran is the most religous Muslim countrey in the world (although the so called "hangings" is just bull shit ), therefore people will always over-react to things like what Jack of Blades said, but then again, in America there's drug dealers, rapeist, pedophiles etc. And actually it doesn't go on only in America but all over the world.
So I think it's a bit one sided to call Iran a barbic place and...loosers -.-.

Since not every single Iranian agrees with the goverments. And yes the goverment may be corrupted and vicious but you can not judge the Presidents action to the whole population...
And I am postive no hangings occur...
Since Iran is a very religous countrey and in Islam it is forbidden to hang, kill, murder, beat anyone... ( But in jihad it's okay ).
So the source of your information in my opinion is false.
I've been to Iran numerous times and nothing of this sort goes on, just seeing this sort of things being aired on American news makes me mad and I'm only 13, I shouldn't care about this stuff...

[VampyreLord]

Okay I'm just so pissed it, after the first I stopped reading, so I kinda the 2nd page in anger...
I'm a muslim, from Kuwait ( it's near Iran, but Kuwait's in the Middle east ), but my heritage is Iranian and if a single person from here has actually seen what's going on in the Isreal - Palestine war you wouldn't dare say the things you are saying.
I do watch the ABC and NBC news and such and I'm disgusted by what they report. It's all biased, they only air a one sided story, to defend the Isrealites, and making Iran look like a barbian countery...
Iran is the most religous Muslim countrey in the world (although the so called "hangings" is just bull shit ), therefore people will always over-react to things like what Jack of Blades said, but then again, in America there's drug dealers, rapeist, pedophiles etc. And actually it doesn't go on only in America but all over the world.
So I think it's a bit one sided to call Iran a barbic place and...loosers -.-.
Since not every single Iranian agrees with the goverments. And yes the goverment may be corrupted and vicious but you can not judge the Presidents action to the whole population...
And I am postive no hangings occur...
Since Iran is a very religous countrey and in Islam it is forbidden to hang, kill, murder, beat anyone... ( But in jihad it's okay ).
So the source of your information in my opinion is false.
I've been to Iran numerous times and nothing of this sort goes on, just seeing this sort of things being aired on American news makes me mad and I'm only 13, I shouldn't care about this stuff...

Oh really?

[1]
http://www.ncr-iran.org/images/stories/repression/public-hanging-mass.jpg

[2]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/middle_east/4765962.stm

[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atefeh_Sahaaleh#Execution

[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging#Iran

[5]
http://www.iranfreedomconcert.com/images/hang2.jpg

^That's the picture I saw in The Guardian on Saturday. Two Iranian teenagers publically hanged for the "crime" of homosexuality.

The fact that hanging is forbidden by Islam is utterly irrelevant. You will find that religious fanatics are very selective in the religious texts they choose to emphasise and adhere to. And just so you know, The Guardian is a left-of-centre, anti-American and anti-Bush paper.

It is a matter of common knowledge that Iran uses death by hanging as a punishment, and I doubt their government would even bother to deny it!

Do you actually have any evidence at all to support your claim?

[peacmaker]

Well, just tha Iran current learder and goveremt (don't know how spelled his name) is try to use everything in book to keep that country under their control. It truth not everyone in Iran agreeds with the goverment and many praying for the day that free from this crazy goverment. Also fighting with U.S., they talk great deal, but going to war with U.S. would be a miss and they need U.S to buy up their oil. If we had to fight with them (I hope not), we would kick their butts first and win. Plus many their so-called friends in middle east don't truth the goverement of Iran at all and think they are pain in the neck.

[4thseal]

Iran is a threat most of all to it's own citizens:

A recent crackdown saw women wearing veils which were considered "too revealing" were called prostitutes assaulted in the streets by police, before being arrested and dragged off. This worse than even medieval oppression of women!

Teenagers as young as 15 are publically hanged for the "crime" of homosexuality. How barbaric is that?

Inflation is soaring due to incompetent governing and spending too much on weapons. They've also had to introduce petrol rationing - pretty embarrassing for one of the world's largest oil producers.

The aggressive foreign policy (kidnapping British sailors etc) could trigger a war which it would probably lose. The biggest losers of all would be the Iranian people.

Their government is, frankly, vile. Something should be done to introduce a secular state.

^you hit the button on right on the nose. Iran is a threat to it's people. Not so much to america or the world.

Also, I read the same gardian artical that you posted pics from. And, sadely things like this are just getting more common in Iran.

Not to mention, the banning of liberal student's from universities and the whole ameican-iranian spy thing.

It pisses me off because the basterd shaw and the u.s government, ruined the brief moment in iranian history were the country was actually a democracy.

I have to ask are you Iranian? Because most people do not know anything about the stuff you mention above.

Okay I'm just so pissed it, after the first I stopped reading, so I kinda the 2nd page in anger...
I'm a muslim, from Kuwait ( it's near Iran, but Kuwait's in the Middle east ), but my heritage is Iranian and if a single person from here has actually seen what's going on in the Isreal - Palestine war you wouldn't dare say the things you are saying.
I do watch the ABC and NBC news and such and I'm disgusted by what they report. It's all biased, they only air a one sided story, to defend the Isrealites, and making Iran look like a barbian countery...
Iran is the most religous Muslim countrey in the world (although the so called "hangings" is just bull shit ), therefore people will always over-react to things like what Jack of Blades said, but then again, in America there's drug dealers, rapeist, pedophiles etc. And actually it doesn't go on only in America but all over the world.
So I think it's a bit one sided to call Iran a barbic place and...loosers -.-.
Since not every single Iranian agrees with the goverments. And yes the goverment may be corrupted and vicious but you can not judge the Presidents action to the whole population...
And I am postive no hangings occur...
Since Iran is a very religous countrey and in Islam it is forbidden to hang, kill, murder, beat anyone... ( But in jihad it's okay ).
So the source of your information in my opinion is false.
I've been to Iran numerous times and nothing of this sort goes on, just seeing this sort of things being aired on American news makes me mad and I'm only 13, I shouldn't care about this stuff...

The islamic regiem of iran is responsible for so many brutal and sensless murders. I'm not saying Iran's dangerous to visit (for most people.) I have been there before. I love the country. But, the regiem is seriosly messed up.

[dawin45]

well they are playing whith the nuclear mistles so they are a threath for the entire earth, so they must be "exterminated" like iraq,and the one which should do it is as ussual the ameircan goverment, which want to trst theyre new v. 5.0 of the EMP pulse...

[sd11]

Iran is a threat on many levels, but not all in the way the west claims them to be.

Their human rights abuses rank up with some of the worst. They are brutal to political dissidents, women, and most humans. This right there is enough reason to feel the Islamic regime is a horrible thing. Their government is also made up of religious clerics, and ex RCG members (a military branch which supplies terrorists and is up to no good)

However the citizens of Iran, all in all, are quiet western and progressive as far as Islamic nations go. The vast majority of them are against their government, and incredibly friendly people.

From the standpoint of a foreign nation, they are a threat as well, but not in the “direct confrontation this will be the end of the world” sort of way. They’d get utterly crushed in a war and they know that. The threat comes in the way they use Lebanon and Palestine as cat’s paws. They fan the violence and tensions there to keep them in a permanent state of strife so Iran can increase it’s own power. They are also locked in a power struggle against Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the other Sunni Gulf Nation States.

However Iran isn’t the only guilty party here. All sides fan terrorist actions and stir up trouble. However Iran is the only one that openly state sponsors terrorism, openly is after nuclear weapons, and openly wants to remove Israel from the map.

Having been to region it’s a real pickle. It’s not that Iranians are bad, it’s the current regime is horrible. On the flip side of the coin if they had an internal reform they could really come around and go far.

P.S.

To the person brining up the Israel vs Palestine issue, it has nothing to do with the Iranian issue. You’re also biased beyond belief if you start that debating ranting about “if you’ve only seen what xxx did to yyy” since both sides are equally low and brutal. Defending either side in it is taking a stance against humanity, peace, and human decency. Both sides are guilty, and until people stop trying to make out one side as the main issue, it’s just going to get worse.

[MasterX25]

I reckon that they are a threat.

Not right now, but in the near future.

their intentions are quite clear, and their capabilities are obvious...
maybe its just a matter of time...

But before that, benefit of the doubt may be the best route for now...
I personally think Iran is not of any threat if they have no alliegiance to any other country. No matter how many nukes you have, if the whole world is against you than its nothing. But in the other hand, if they unite Arab together than threat would be yes and the major power country would interfer to stop that from occuring. Iran should no well clearly what will happen if a nuclear war starts, SPELLS DOOM FOR THE WORLD so I don't see much point of them trying to start one unless they wants themselves to be killed for sure. Anyway the citizens of Iran will know what will happen therefore they will stand against it, that means that the soldiers will do as well.

[Sher0uz]

Psh.. I'm half iranian half lebanese. Someboy plz define terrorism for me. People accuse iran of having links to terrorist groups (Btw, hizbollah is funded by iran, but its a political party, more like a angry gang than a terrorist group) I always hear shit like "Iran is funding taliban and al queda" Thats retarded. Those are both sunni groups, and iran is 95% SHIA.

As far as iran being a threat i really doubt it. Half the stuff u guys hear is twisted bullshit. Ahmedinejad never said he wanted isreal wiped of the map, he wants to get rid of the regime (Though addmitantly he should fix iran's goverment first). Also the only reason that the shitty goverment is in iranright now is BECAUSE OF THE US AND UK. Suprised? look up operation ajax, and the shah. While I think we were better off before, the Us always screws around with other countries's affairs, then it comes back to bit them in the ass later. Dont get me wrong, I live in the us and i love it here, but the goverment here and in iran both suck.

[MasterX25]

Dude as far as I care, I do not think Iran is a terrorist country. I just think that there are a lot terrorist in Iran, hiding or something (that does not mean Iran is a terrorist).

Terrorism to be is someone who wants to send a message across to someone else using terror so it will attract attention and everyone will pay attention to them.

I do not think Iran is a terrorist. Who actually start saying that in the first place (cough...USA, not to be offensive, G.Bush). Anyway the threat thing, Iran is of no threat when you currently compare it with Russia (the current president, who is he?). Iran simply wants power source using Nulclear, even my small timy green country and beginging to think about nuclear and we have @&#^ amount of laws against it (did I went of topic?).

[Sushi]

Iran is a definite threat.

It is a country that has allied itself with terrorist forces that want nothing but destruction for the world. They have nuclear weapons that I believe they will use eventually to annihilate us all. The only thing keeping them from doing that right now is the fact that within 10 seconds of firing a nuke, the U.S. will already have hit them with 10, and they know that.

Eventually, when Iran's government has gone so awry and their military and political leaders have become completely insane they will fire every weapon they have and aim them all at the current world powers (U.S.A., England, France, etc.) and as a result kill millions of people not only in the countries that they fired nuclear weapons at, but their own citizens, for those world powers will have already destroyed Iran.

In time, I believe that Iran will be the trigger for WWIII, which will be a nuclear war no doubt. And the world will end...