[ClearCase_guy]

I agree. It is overstated, but the task is not that hard, and the results would be very bad.

All you need is a nuke, and a delivery mechanism to loft the nuke to a certain height.

Iran is close to having a nuke.
Iran just launched a satellite.
The EMP blast should occur at an altitude of 300 miles -- satellites are much higher, so this altitude is very achievable for Iran.

The only 2 questions are:
Can the Iranian rocket lift a nuke (I think their satellite was quite small).
and
Would Iran mind the retaliatory strike from our subs (which would not be affected by the EMP)?

[SolidWood]

The mullahs want nukes as a insurance against regime change and deterrance of attacks (ala North Korea). They are power hungry and bent on cementing their domestic rule and regional influence. This is dangerous and evil enough. But they are not nearly as suicidal as their rethoric suggests.

Al-Qaeda of course is a different matter.

[ctdonath2]

Well put. A recognized “terrorist state” has all the pieces for a worst case tinfoil hat hysterical nutcase scenario; they just have to put it together.