Iran's Shahab-3 missile being launched from an undisclosed location on Wednesday.(PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Iran is holding a fistful of aces.
Consider this: The Islamic Republic is the second-largest oil producing country in OPEC – with an output of 4 million barrels a day. And the head of OPEC warns that any military conflict involving Iran could result in an "unlimited" increase in oil prices. You think today's record trading high of more than $147 a barrel was bad news? He says the other members of OPEC wouldn't be able to make up for the lost production, and prices could head through the roof. Some experts are predicting prices of $250 per barrel or higher.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to go along with its nuclear program. In an attempt to showcase some of its military might, the Iranians test-fired a long-range missile Wednesday and several shorter-range missiles Wednesday and Thursday. A top Iranian military official has threatened to close down the straits of Hormuz if Iran is attacked; more than 17 million barrels of oil flow through the strait every day.
In light of Iran's missile tests, the U.S. and Israel are flexing their muscles, too. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. will "defend our interests and defend our allies." And Israel, whom Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has vowed to destroy, is also chiming in. Defense Minister Ehud Barak says he favors sanctions and diplomatic pressure, but that Israel has proved in the past that it's not afraid to act if its security is at risk.
Here’s my question to you: What should be done about Iran, considering how much influence it has over the world’s oil supply?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John writes:
JFK did not allow nukes in Cuba. Iran’s ally Venezuela is very close to the U.S. The best way to keep missiles with nukes out of Venezuela is to stop the Iranian nuke program, with military action if needed, soon.
Donnie from Charlotte, North Carolina writes:
First, let’s take the cards out of their hands and start drilling in Alaska. It may be a beautiful state, but desperate times call for action. If we take away the dependency of foreign oil quickly, then perhaps we can then use diplomacy in this fashion: We don't need your oil. In fact, if you don't stop using missile threats and building nuclear weapons, then we will push the trigger on our pre-targeted missiles, which happen to be aimed directly at your capital building.
Jason writes:
We need to just give up on them making a nuke. Let them have one if they want one. In fact, give them one. Who cares? We are causing ourselves an unlimited amount of problems trying to prevent things from happening and it’s proving to not be worth it. If they use one anywhere in the world – they, themselves will cease to exist.
Bob from Houston writes:
Jack, no war please! Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. Why is it that a handful of people in any country can cause so much misery for so many? I don't think the Iranian people are happy with their nut-job president, so let's not make life miserable for them. Face to face meetings are needed to smooth out the situation.
Steve writes:
How ignorant of fact are those who advocate "talk"? There have been negotiations going on spearheaded by Europe for years now, all while the Iranians have continued to develop their nuclear capability. You think they are belligerent now...wait till they have the bomb.
Mark writes:
Jack, Hillary was right: obliterate them.