The dangers of a nuclear Iran are clear to most people who are aware of the facts surrounding Iran and their leader’s attitude toward the United States and Israel. These two countries are not the only ones that would be affected by Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, however. The entire world would be affected. If Iran were to send a nuclear bomb to Israel or to the United States, a third world war could erupt. In a matter of hours, much of the globe could be destroyed, and even peaceful countries that have good relationships with Iran could be destroyed as well.
There are other countries that have nuclear weapons, such as the United States, Russia, China, North Korea, India, and Pakistan. The difference between these countries and Iran is that they are not threatening to destroy other countries. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made it clear that according to his belief and philosophy, the world would be better off without the United States and Israel. The United States could probably not be eradicated with one nuclear attack, but the country could surely be affected if all of their electronic equipment including computers and telecommunications equipment were disabled.
It is clear that Iran is not only threatening with words, but with actions as well. When President Obama threatened to impose new economic sanctions on Iran’s oil exporting business, Iran began to train its military to stop all oil from moving through the Strait of Hormuz. This international strait could be the site of a new Persian War that could cause great damage to this area of the world. The entire Middle East would be affected since they are in the region close to this area. Iran has threatened to use missiles against any country that goes against its wishes to export oil.
Israel is the country that is the most endangered by the possibility of Iran having nuclear weapons. Iran could easily aim nuclear missiles towards Israel and destroy the entire country. The likelihood of the world stepping up to protect Israel is slim, and its greatest ally, the United States, has cooled its relationship with Israel since the election of President Obama. The Israeli army is strong for such a small country, but whether they can stop Iran’s production of nuclear weapons is unknown. One fact that is definite is that Iran has promised to eradicate Israel from the face of the earth.
There is a real possibility of Iran developing and using nuclear weapons. Both Israel and the United States say that they have evidence that these weapons are now being developed in Iran. Despite this fact, Iran continues to deny that they are developing nuclear weapons. The Muslim clerics have issued general bans against any Islamic country developing these weapons, but the passion and determination of Iran to destroy Israel and the United States may overstep the forbidden development of weapons of mass destruction.
The main way that the United States, Great Britain, and other countries have attempted to prevent Iran from developing these weapons is through economic sanctions. These have not worked in stopping other aggressive leaders like Muammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein. Many analysts say that the sanctions only cause worse relations and resentment that eventually leads to war. Sanctions against Iran have already been in place for many years, and they have had no effect on the development of nuclear arms by Iran. The time may come when more serious measures, such as destroying Iran’s nuclear weapon production plants, is necessary. The entire world does not want to see the situation come to this because those who have been living for several decades are already tired of the Middle Eastern wars. Hopefully, Iran is more talk than action as some political analysists say it is.