Did Iran just demonstrate they can take down the United States?

Secure the Grid ^ | April, 2020 | Tommy Waller

[silent majority rising]

This week, the Islamic Republic of Iran reportedly successfully launched a military satellite using the same advanced technologies that guide intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Hyten did not initially categorize the launch as successful but did confirm the missile “travelled a long way.” Nevertheless, a prominent satellite tracking service now shows the “Nour 1” in orbit, which should be of great concern to the United States. The type of ballistic missile technology used to launch this satellite could deliver nuclear, chemical, or even biological weapons to "wipe Israel off the map," attack U.S. bases and allies in the region, and even US and NATO installations as far away as Western Europe. One particular concern about Iran having nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles is the fact that it creates a deterrent umbrella under which the jihadist regime would have a free hand to continue and even escalate their sponsorship and direct support for terrorism around the world. Countries with such a deterrent are less concerned about punitive or retaliatory strikes because of that capability. While officials in Washington disagree on the extent of Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, credible experts have warned that we must operate under the assumption that the Iranians already possess at least some level of nuclear weapons capability.

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TOPICS: Iran; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: no

[silent majority rising]

Why Iran must never have even one nuclear weapon? Because with one nuclear weapon of 1 Megaton detonated at 20 miles altitude over Israel, they could cause an EMP that would effectively bomb Israel back to the Stone Age. It would render their military almost useless, and their infrastructure would be completely gone. Now if they had two nuclear weapons, they could effectively cause an EMP over the entire US with a detonation at 250 miles with the same effect as Israel..I believe this is their plan. Most people view their nuclear weapons program with 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki eyes. I believe their strategy is to detonate at least two weapons to remove the US and Israel as a strategic force against them. They are betting that the Americans and Israelis will not retaliate with a 'limited' weapon detonation. They have no use to destroy the ground of the US and Israel, but they believe they can defeat the 'Little Satan and Big Satan' by destroying their weapons systems. Here is the analysis that I had the Gemini AI do:

To address your questions about Iran's capabilities for a high-altitude nuclear detonation and EMP, let's break down the key elements based on available information: 1. Components Needed for a High-Altitude EMP Detonation: For Iran to detonate a nuclear weapon at high altitude to induce an EMP over a significant area like Israel, they would need several key components and capabilities: A Nuclear Warhead: This is the fundamental requirement. While there are ongoing international concerns about Iran's nuclear program, official U.S. assessments as of early 2025 indicate that Iran has halted its nuclear weapons program initiated before 2004 and has not yet decided to resume it. However, these assessments also note that Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons at some point and may be conducting work on related technologies. Some reports suggest Iran has enough fissile material for "more than a dozen nuclear weapons" if further enriched. A Missile Capable of Reaching High Altitude: A high-altitude EMP detonation typically occurs between 30 to 400 kilometers (18 to 250 miles) above the Earth's surface to maximize the EMP effect over a wide area. This requires a ballistic missile with sufficient range and altitude capability. Iran has developed various medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Shahab-3 series, Emad, Ghadr, and Kheybar Shekan, with ranges capable of reaching Israel (around 1,000-2,000 km). Their newly unveiled hypersonic missiles, like the Fattah and Fattah-2, are reported to reach high speeds (Mach 5-15 in different phases) and have maneuverable reentry vehicles. While specific maximum altitudes for these hypersonic missiles with significant payloads aren't widely detailed in open sources, the fact that they are designed to maneuver outside the atmosphere before reentry suggests they can achieve considerable altitudes, potentially within the range needed for EMP generation. Some reports indicate the Kheibar Shekan has a flight altitude of 135 km. A Reliable Detonation Mechanism: The warhead needs a sophisticated and reliable system to ensure detonation at the precise high altitude. This includes fuzing and triggering mechanisms that can function in the harsh conditions of space or the upper atmosphere. Miniaturization and Weaponization: Integrating a nuclear warhead into a missile payload requires significant expertise in miniaturization and weaponization to ensure it can withstand the stresses of launch and flight and function as intended. 2. Altitude of Iranian Hypersonic Missiles with Significant Payload: Open-source information on the precise maximum altitude attained by Iran's hypersonic missiles with a significant payload is limited. Here's what we can infer: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Missiles like the Fattah-2 are described as Hypersonic Glide Vehicles. Their operational mode involves being propelled to a high altitude by a booster rocket, after which the warhead separates and glides back to the atmosphere at high speeds (Mach 5+), maneuvering at altitudes potentially below 100 km and even as low as 12-30 km for extended periods. This implies the booster stage achieves a significantly higher altitude initially to allow for the glide phase. Ballistic Missile Trajectories: Traditional ballistic missiles follow a parabolic trajectory, reaching their apogee (highest point) well into the upper atmosphere or even the lower reaches of space before re-entering. The range of a ballistic missile is directly related to its apogee and velocity. Given the 1000-2000 km range of some Iranian missiles, their apogee would likely be in the range suitable for EMP generation (30-400 km). Payload Impact on Altitude: The altitude a missile can reach is dependent on the weight of its payload. A "significant payload" (presumably a nuclear warhead) would reduce the maximum altitude compared to a lighter test payload. However, given Iran's progress in missile technology, it's plausible they could deliver a warhead of a size suitable for EMP generation to the required altitudes. In summary: Based on available evidence, Iran possesses the missile technology to reach altitudes suitable for EMP detonation over Israel. The primary uncertainty remains their possession of a miniaturized and weaponized nuclear warhead. While they have the theoretical capacity and have engaged in activities that raise proliferation concerns, current US intelligence suggests they have not made a decision to resume their nuclear weapons program. However, their ongoing missile development, including hypersonic capabilities, cannot be discounted in the context of potential future strategic options.

[Right Brother]

To be readable, paragraphs are unbeatable.

[silent majority rising]

This is an older article, but I think it predicts what the Iranians’ intentions are, and why it is crucial to US interests. All Iran needs is two nuclear weapons - One for the Great Satan, the United States, and one for Israel. They might be planning on a detonation at 200 miles above Las Vegas. This would render most of the drone control around the world (my understanding is that most Drones are operated from the Las Vegas area. Also, it could render the US Offensive efforts chaotic. Next, the second bomb would be a detonation at about 50 miles over Israel. This would render most of their infrastructure almost useless. I do not believe that Iran intends to destroy the Israeli ground facilities like a Hiroshima bomb, but they have been working on EMP technology. That is why the US MUST destroy Iran’s ability to make nuclear weapons.

[Celtic Conservative]

If Iran did that Israel has contingencies known as the “Samson Option”, aka good old-fashioned mutually assured destruction. And if Israel receives firm intel on anything of this type they won’t wait for our permission. They’ll launch conventional raids to both disable their nuclear intentions and decapitate their leadership.

CC

[silent majority rising]

I put it in with paragraphs and FR took them out.

[bk1000]

“Because with one nuclear weapon of 1 Megaton detonated at 20 miles altitude over Israel, they could cause an EMP that would effectively bomb Israel back to the Stone Age.”

I am not a nuclear physicist, but this seems unlikely to me. Has the EMP theory ever been proven? They have been threatening this dark age inducing blackout for years with nothing to back it up. I am as skeptical about this as I am about climate change.

[algore]

You asked an AI?

Lol

An ai will tell you whatever it thinks you want to hear.

Just yesterday a judge busted and fined a law firm for using an ai which created cases and precidents that did not exist.

[fuzzylogic]

Same understanding here. IMO it might fry some electronics if running but will do nothing to the general grid or devices that are off. Would it be ‘crippling’? Maybe...but even if it is, I believe it would be relatively easy to recover from it.

[silent majority rising]

I hope we don’t find out. However, the whole point is that Iran must be denied the ability to produce it. We are not invulnerable because of our technological advantage, and when a murderer has a weapon in his hand, you can’t ‘talk him out of it’ in general.

[Churchillspirit]

Playing devil's advocate here.......

Who decides which countries may have nuclear weapons? The only country to use one is The USA. In that case the lesser of two evils.

[PeterPrinciple]

. Has the EMP theory ever been proven?

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4317132/posts

[DouglasKC]

I am not a nuclear physicist, but this seems unlikely to me. Has the EMP theory ever been proven? They have been threatening this dark age inducing blackout for years with nothing to back it up. I am as skeptical about this as I am about climate change.

EMP is a real thing but probably overblown at least as far the military goes. I was computer tech in the USAF back in the early 80's and they already had build in emp circuits...basically a circuit that would burn out and isolate the rest of the devices from harm. The circuit could be replaced in minutes and the device was operational once again.

I'm not so sure though about consumer electronics. Not sure if they ever found it cost effective. Doubt it.

[mabarker1]

Without partitioning the giant ai mumbo-jumbo word salad hypothesis I think that most of the Iranian people would not support an EMP attack or a conventional Nuclear attack on the United States.🇺🇸

Now the nutcaseterrorscumwasteofspermandeggs that are in “power” is a whole other thing.

Either way I believe that We would return enough destructive force to wipe out all of Iran. Be it via Conventional Explosives or a couple of Nuclear detonations.

Thank God We have a Real President at this time. We should take this opportunity to solve this problem ahead of time before the nutcaseterrorscumwasteofspermandeggs go completely off of their majic carpets...

[mabarker1]

If We get EMP’ed there will be a HUGE chunk of the population who would be freaking out. I think that We would have a LACK OF GPS and total panic in the Generation past Baby Boomers don’t know how to use a Map.

Or use Cash.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Tell Gemini “put that in an html 2.0 document.” Then cut/paste the html into FR.

[silent majority rising]

Thanks for the advice.

[1Old Pro]

Like everything in government, I have a feeling we are going to act too late on Iran.

[ladyjane]

I didn’t know that most of our drones are operated out of the Las Vegas area so I asked Grok if it was true. I couldn’t get any answer from Grok.

[Liz]

Trump’s mere appearance in foreign venues showcases his unerring
strength which is readily subsumed by his foreign adversary.

Netanyahu’s miffed b/c Trump’s not taking the usual Israeli crapola.

<><>Jimmy Carter brokered the first and biggest peace deal for Israel, and was later called
a “bigot” by an ungrateful Israel just because Carter met a Hamas leader in 2008.

<><>The US in 2010, was openly humiliated by Netanyahu who chose to announce settlement expansion while VP Biden was there to articulate US policy specifically calling for a settlement freeze.

<><>Pres Biden blanketed Israel w/ $17.8 billion over and above the annual tribute of $4 billion hoping against hope Netanyahu would stop the killing. Despite everything he did for Israel, the killing increased.

Netanyahu at will can ramp up fear of the overbearing Zionist lobby stalking the halls
of the US Congress, tattle-tailing on any one who dares utter a discouraging word.

Israel has grown beyond any blame or even a reprimand.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Sure. That works really well in Grok. I usually also instruct it “No h1 tag. No H2 tag. Use only h3 and h4 tags. No title tag. No body tag.” That cuts down the extraneous garbage you don’t want and avoids giant fonts. You can also instruct it to make html tables. That works really well well.