Re: The time has come...bomb Iran's nuke facilities!
Quote Treedancer:
The Iranians will fight, there not going to run, if anybody thinks that there nuts. They have half a million regular army, 120,000 Revolutionary Guards, 45,000 border troops, an air force, - and they have a militia estimated to be at least one million men, if not six million.
Now let's look at that, what are they going to fight with?
Tank Type Count Manufacturer
M-47/48 150 U.S. (*)
M-60A1 150-160 U.S. (*)
Chieftain Mark 3/5s100 U.K. (*)
T-54/55 250 Russia/Soviet
T-59 150-250 (35-?) Russia/Soviet
T-72/S 480 Russia/Soviet
T-69II 150-250 ? Russia/Soviet
Zulfiqar 100 Iranian made from T-72 and M48 pieces
Total Estimate
1600
* delivered prior to the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979
Anyone see anything that can even scratch the paint on an Abrams?
Aircraft Made in Count Mission Comments
F-14 U.S. 50 Air Defense Poorly maintained, Little/no AAM, gun only
MiG-29 Russia 6 Air Defense Highly capable, heavy maintenance costs, fuel hungry
F-7M China 35 Air Defense Fairly modern and capable
F-4D/E U.S. 260 Attack/Defense Very poorly maintained, parts not available
to Iran some in ME market
F-5E/FII U.S. 260 Attack/Defense Very poorly maintained,
parts not available from U.S., some in ME market
Su-24 Soviet 30 Attack Some parts purchases with Russia have taken place, these may be the best maintained of all Iranian aircraft
Su-25K Soviet 7 Attack Seized during Gulf War (Iraq inexplictedly flew them out) May be operational but doubtful
Mir F-1 France 24 Attack/Defense Seized during Gulf War (Iraq inexplictedly flew them out) May be operational but doubtful
So even if we were dumb enough to put boots on the ground, what are they going to fight us with? Their million man army would be like moths in a flamethrower.... they too would be surrendering to journalists.

(hint: if you don't know what I'm talking about, google their planes and tanks.)