quote:

“I think the pressure of the sanctions, the diplomatic pressures from everywhere, Europe, the United States, elsewhere, it’s working to put pressure on them,” Panetta explained on Sunday. “To make them understand that they cannot continue to do what they’re doing. Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. But we know that they’re trying to develop a nuclear capability, and that’s what concerns us. And our red line to Iran is, do not develop a nuclear weapon. That’s a red line for us.”

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


Reading the headlines once in a while is required...

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


I am sure we can all at least agree that Iran has such a robust nuclear energy program because its such an energy poor nation...

No citation needed

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ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

Ironically, in spite of the fact that they are sitting on a huge oil deposit, they lack the ability to refine enough to meet their own needs.

Citation supplied http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Oil_Refining_and_Distribution_Company

A quote: In 2008 Iran has imported nearly 40% of its market needs because of lack of refining capacity and contraband.[10] In 2009, Iran spent paid $11 billion on imported fuel.[11] In 2010, gasoline import declined to 30% of its market needs at 25 million liters of gasoline and 11 million liters of diesel fuel per day.[12][13]

As of July 2010, Iran produces between 280,000 barrels (45,000 m3) and 285,000 barrels (45,300 m3) of gasoline a day and until recently had acquired the remaining 30 percent, which is about 115,000 barrels per day (18,300 m3/d) to 120,000 barrels per day (19,000 m3/d), through big oil companies.[14]

Major gasoline suppliers to Iran historically have been India, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.[15][1

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ORIGINAL: farglebargle

Burning oil is stupid, and only stupid people advocate for it when we have so many feasible alternatives.

Once you've burned up all the oil, what are you planning on making tupperware out of?

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


I am sure we can all at least agree that Iran has such a robust nuclear energy program because its such an energy poor nation...

No citation needed

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sanity


And everyone knows that its much cheaper for Iran to build a sophisticated nuclear program than to build a few oil refineries, even including the international sanctions etc

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

Ironically, in spite of the fact that they are sitting on a huge oil deposit, they lack the ability to refine enough to meet their own needs.

Citation supplied http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Oil_Refining_and_Distribution_Company

A quote: In 2008 Iran has imported nearly 40% of its market needs because of lack of refining capacity and contraband.[10] In 2009, Iran spent paid $11 billion on imported fuel.[11] In 2010, gasoline import declined to 30% of its market needs at 25 million liters of gasoline and 11 million liters of diesel fuel per day.[12][13]

As of July 2010, Iran produces between 280,000 barrels (45,000 m3) and 285,000 barrels (45,300 m3) of gasoline a day and until recently had acquired the remaining 30 percent, which is about 115,000 barrels per day (18,300 m3/d) to 120,000 barrels per day (19,000 m3/d), through big oil companies.[14]

Major gasoline suppliers to Iran historically have been India, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.[15][1

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


Iran plans to use conventional weapons to carry out their declared INTENT to wipe Israel off the map, then?

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ORIGINAL: Sanity


And everyone knows that its much cheaper for Iran to build a sophisticated nuclear program than to build a few oil refineries, even including the international sanctions etc

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ORIGINAL: Moonhead

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sanity


Iran plans to use conventional weapons to carry out their declared INTENT to wipe Israel off the map, then?

Given that they'd be a lot less likely to cover their own country with fallout by doing that, yes, they probably would.