Like you said this are some interesting development shaping up in the Middle East, I think that by now many countries in the region has vested so much money in trying to show the world that they are not third world countries that is going to be hard for them to step in in a regional conflict.

The way I see it is going to come down to Iran and everyone else staying on the fence. That's what I think Iran has not done anything crazy yet. Maybe in those close doors meeting they trying to gauge how much support they would have from countries in the region and they already know that its going to be none.

None of this countries look that are willing to be obliterated back to the stone age for unnecessary reasons.

Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine it seems to me that is all that Iran can count on in the region.

Agreed Trader, Turkey is one of the most westernised civilizations as is/was Iran before the Mullahs took over. They all realise some really heavy stuff is on the horizon. I keep having to think this whole mess transcends oil or religious differences. Are we trying to avert phrophesy of the anti christ. Or are we bringing it upon us sooner. The UVI's have picked up dramatically since 1998. Just a thought.

Man, if things touch off, it's going to be a real mess.
Already oil prices have hit $80 a barrel, which is the highest figure it's ever been (although if you adjust for inflation the mid-80s saw it hit just over $100).

Not only will war with Iran see a direct impact on production from that country, but OPEC is likely to take direct action.

I hope you don't mind paying $5 to $10 a gallon at the pumps!

Lump in the effect that the oil shock will have on shipping prices AND the current market instability caused by the burst of the credit bubble... YIKES!