[chilepepper]

the Iranians would be wise to remember what happened when Argentina assumed UK was too weak to do anything when they siezed the Falklands when Maggie was in office.

a number of profound differences: if Blair is about to leave office, this incident will be what people remember about him. couple that with the fact that the UK (with the US) have quite a few assets in the area with which to do something.

a direct slap at the British Navy that once ruled the oceans - if UK does nothing, the prestige they lose will be enormous , and repercussions will be enormous. for example, the Argies will try to take the Falklands again

[Tennessean4Bush]

if Blair is about to leave office, this incident will be what people remember about him

I disagree on this point. Blair and Bush will be forever be tied to the Iraq War. Nothing, short of delaring war on Iran, will change that. However, declaring war on Iran would certainly change the subject and tie Blair to another legacy.