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Cold War between Iran, Israel heating up

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    Will hostilities erupt in 2013?

  • Duration 3:00
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We're following some disturbing developments out of Iran the country's navy is reportedly test firing a range of weapons including.

Torpedoes and missiles uses strategic Strait of Hormuz a vital passageway.

For 15 of the world's oil supplies.

Joining us now to discuss the possible ramifications.

Aaron David Miller who's a former advisor to six secretaries of state and he's vice president of the Woodrow Wilson Center welcome great to have -- today.

Great to be -- -- -- how concerned are you by the recent actions from Iran regarding of this test firing that's going on by the straits.

-- And happy new year and and by the way this is is really the most way of of extending a happy new year to the administration as well.

These are a series of -- -- -- integrated exercises.

In an effort to demonstrate and show that the -- -- can take care of their own business.

And to defend their coastline and in in if necessary.

If necessary put up an offensive.

Deterrent capacity.

In the event they're struck by the United States and Israel.

I think though that moment this is part of a gain that the Iranians the Americans -- the Israelis as dangerous as it may be.

Have been playing for the last several years it's it's part of a Cold War if you will.

Which include cyber attacks sanctions.

Development of Iran's nuclear capacity.

All of this frankly is better than the phase that I suspect we we could move into next year which is up.

The real prospects of a hot war I think Iranians.

Are are open to a deal whether or not to they're prepared to deliver on their end is.

Is really -- the key question I think for -- thirteen.

Well recently -- -- have leaders have been saying that they believe the future.

Lies with their air and -- capacity in and their arsenal of what weapons in that arena.

And that they want to show the world that they can be independent that they have a what it takes to launch an offensive.

Well at a.

I think what they what they really want to do is to demonstrate that they have they capacity -- there what they -- there will be a price to be paid in the event that there is.

A military strike by throwing the United States but the reality is that regardless of the sophistication of these weapons.

Including a -- there were -- surface to air missile system.

The United States has the capacity.

To destroy Iran's conventional and and probably set back its unconventional nuclear program four years should it come to that.

So I think I think Iran and needs to demonstrate its power to its own people.

And to show the west that they'll be a cost but I don't think -- -- -- of any illusion.

That in a major confrontation with the United States.

And they would come out of this anything other than any a huge loser.

-- days remain quite high in this regard are certainly available to watch very closely we thank you so much for joining us -- your insights today.

Always a pleasure.