How Iran Would Retaliate If It Comes To War

[Purveyor]

Military analysts say the Islamic Republic would strike back in unconventional ways – targeting American interests in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By Scott Peterson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

Istanbul, Turkey - Pressure is building on Iran. This week Europe agreed to new sanctions and President Bush again suggested something more serious – possible military strikes – if the Islamic Republic doesn't bend to the will of the international community on its nuclear program.

But increasingly military analysts are warning of severe consequences if the US begins a shooting war with Iran. While Iranian forces are no match for American technology on a conventional battlefield, Iran has shown that it can bite back in unconventional ways.

Iranian networks in Iraq and Afghanistan could imperil US interests there; American forces throughout the Gulf region could be targeted by asymmetric methods and lethal rocket barrages; and Iranian partners across the region – such as Hezbollah in Lebanon – could be mobilized to engage in an anti-US fight.

Iran's response could also be global, analysts say, but the scale would depend on the scale of the US attack. "One very important issue from a US intelligence perspective, is probably more unpredictable than the Al Qaeda threat," says Magnus Ranstorp at the Center for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defense College in Stockholm.

"I doubt very much our ability to manage some of the consequences," says Mr. Ranstorp, noting that Iranian revenge attacks in the past have been marked by "plausible deniability" and have had global reach.

"If you attack Iran you are unleashing a firestorm of reaction internally that will only strengthen revolutionary forces, and externally in the region," says Ranstorp. "It's a nightmare scenario for any contingency planner, and I think you really enter the twilight zone if you strike Iran."

---EOE---

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0620/p07s04-wome.html?page=1

[Speck Tater]

1. War with Iran = $300 oil. NT

[Enthusiast]

15. Bull! They would greet us as liberators.

They would throw flowers on our troops as we marched. <sarcasm>

[Faygo Kid]

2. Cakewalk? Greet us as liberators? Seriously, our nightmare but Bush/Cheney's dream.

Bush is a megalomaniac who still thinks his cowboy legacy is his best bet.

Cheney seeks total control over Middle East oil.

Put them together and they spell a summer attack.

[Parche]

3. Iran Is Real------------Al Kida Is Fake CIA Operation

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :hi:

[yurbud]

10. yeah, but Colin Powell's comment about Saddam applies to Iran too: they're like a scorpion that's

no danger to you unless you kick over their rock.

[cliss]

4. Prediction: as long as oil prices keep rising,

the specter of war becomes more real.

This is driven by desperation, on the part of the US and other oil consuming nations. They simply CANNOT have an oil producing country which is not under their control.

This is a question of hemorrhaging to death by the gallon. As long as oil keeps rising, our economy is sinking and theirs is growing stronger = can't happen.

And Yeah I think at some point, the US will be in a do-or-die situation where they don't care what happens they'll bomb anyway.

[peacetalksforall]

5. So now we know what the experts say = what does the bloody handed, black hearted

Cheney and his barons say? Al the CEO's, executives, and stockholders of Northrup, Boeing, GE,Halliburuton, KBR, Exxon &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& all the others are rubbing their hands together. They will be striking Iran and all their collective dreams will be fulfilled. More of our kids will get killed and maimed, more families ruined, more debt and hearbreak. Great! Screw the stupid citizens - we got ours for ourselves and our friends. And we thank our lucky friends in corporate media and the legislators who allowed this. They shall be rewarded.

[Tutonic]

6. Strike Against Iran is Not Going To Happen.

The European Community has sent blunt messages to the U.S. that a strike against Iran will not be tolerated. Now in addition to Putin, Merkel and the eastern block we also have raised the ire of the Billion man army in China. Dobson, Robertson and the like may be squealing with glee about the prospect of Armageddon but Bush and Cheney are not religious zealots. The noisemaking about an attack will continue through November and then come to a complete end. Bush and Cheney not only lack the military muscle and power to fight a third illegal war in Iran but would absolutely put impeachment on the table at that time. Israel's position to negotiate with Iran--in spite of Bushes rhetoric at the Knesset in May regarding "appeasement" is the correct path to avoiding conflict. When the US decided to wage two costly and disastrous wars half-way around the world we lost our standing as the dominant military force. China and the reconstituted Russia have assumed that position and the UK, france and remaining EUropean states who have a rabid dislike for Bush will rally around this new leadership. Iranian strike like impeachment is off of the table.

[ladjf]

9. Yes. We have almost reached the stage where our bellicosity

is so dangerous that other Countries might have to step in to bring the U.S. under control. That is
terrible. Who would have thought such a thing possible say 20 years ago?

[Diclotican]

13. ladjf

ladjf

We have almost reached the stage where our bellicosity
is so dangerous that other Countries might have to step in to bring the U.S. under control. That is
terrible. Who would have thought such a thing possible say 20 years ago?

The Short answer is NO ONE...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[tama]

16. What is European Community?

And I have not heard EU sending any blunt messages to the US, but continuing to support US imperialism while adding their own imperialism to the porridge.

[MasonJar]

7. Those two are just crazy enough to do it. What do they care if Iran

launches attacks at our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are not there. They are obvious sociopaths, who only care about their own personal survival.

[ladjf]

8. I have no idea what Iran would do if attacked. However, they are

no Iraq. They have the means to inflict some terrible damage. They also have some dangerous allies.

Among other things,they have intermediate range missiles that could easily reach Israel and those missiles are no little "bottle rockets" that are now hitting parts of Israel.

They also have submarines with rocket launching capabilities. We can't be sure that they haven't already acquired some form of nuclear warhead, perhaps from N. Korea and Pakistan.

Is short, Iran is not threatening to attack any Country. But, if seriously attacked, it is definite that they will retaliate outside of their borders. We don't need this mess just so Bush can flex his
power.

Israel, in particular, needs to shut up and stop making threatening gestures. They are the most vulnerable and have the most to lose in a big strike of retaliation.

[SlipperySlope]

11. The would retaliate by throwing roses and candy at our feet, right?

[Chisox08]

12. If we attack Iran we will be opening up the gates of Hell

Not only would America have to worry about Iran and its allies in the Middle East but the reaction of China and Russia. China could view this as a oil grab and start a war with us in order to protect China's interest. $300 a barrel oil will be the least of our concerns.

[Diclotican]

14. Chisox08

Chisox08

Both Russia and China have much to loose if US was to attack Iran.. And would help Iran any way possible if they was attached. Both Russia and China have technology who can be interesting for US to discover on the battlefield. Specially when it some to Surface to Air missiles, Surface to Sea missiles and so one... And in the Air, they to have some inter sting aircraft, and I would guess that either F22 or F35 are been made in so much number to beat SU27 and it derivatives out of the sky yet.. The Only Stealth US have to day are B2, who are NO FIGHTER at all... But a dam good bomber then...

In al, if US was to attack Iran the country have some good friends who are powerfully enough to give Iran everything they need military. Maybe even soldiers and so on too. Just to be sure that Iran are not been attached by US... And as other have pointed out, Russia and China would not stand down, and let US do their work... And Iran itself would fight fiercely and do their best to stop the invaders.. And they can inflict damage to the US a long way, in the whole of the middle east, and maybe even longer..

And if the news about the US armed forces, who have been strict to the limit is true, and the US need 7 year to come back to strength is true.. Then a war with Iran, and possible a war by proxy with Russia and China would broke the army all toghter..

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language