The tremendous suffering in the United States caused by Hurricane Katrina has actually prompted the hard line, US-hating clerics who rule Iran to bury the hatchet, at least temporarily, and make an offer of aid. It seems as if the magnitude of this disaster has caused them to set aside their differences with the Great Satan to help those in need.

The Iranian government is offering to send 20 million barrels of oil to the US to help make up for the lost production in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the hurricane:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4218986.stm

In 2003, when the city of Bam in Iran was levelled by an earthquake, the United States responded with medical aid and relief workers. This might show that the Iranian government appreciated that gesture.

Well, isn't helping others who are in need one of the five pillars of Islam? This probably falls under the same category as alms-giving.

You sure that they didn't really mean that they were sending us AIDS?  :D

All kidding aside, I think that's a cool gesture.

In 2003, when the city of Bam in Iran was levelled by an earthquake, the United States responded with medical aid and relief workers. This might show that the Iranian government appreciated that gesture.


It is nice to see that even our "ideological enemies" (their decision, not ours) can band together in times of need.  And it is interesting to see which countries are offering to help, and what the help is.  Hopefully the members of OPEC can realize what harm their greed is causing the rest of the world, and lower these astronomical oil prices.

If you think the oil companies are ripping you off, look at these nations.  It costs them $4 a barrel to make the oil they export, yet they demand over $60 a barrel for it.  Maybe they will realize that greed is a sin also.

I didn't know that it was only four dollars a barrel cost to oil companies.  They really are greedy.

I didn't know that it was only four dollars a barrel cost to oil companies.  They really are greedy.


That is the price it costs the Middle Eastern governments.  The cost to US companies is higher then that, because of having to dig deeper, and more research in order to find it.

If I remember right, Middle Eastern companies and governments pay roughly $4 a barrel in drilling costs.  For US companies, it is around $10-12 a barrel.

Of course, there are other costs.  Nobody in the Middle East cares much about OSHA, or the EPA, or unions.  Once all the other costs are added up, US made oil runs closer to $20-25 a barrel if I remember right.  It still gives them a large profit at the moment, because they have to compete with the world price.  ANd if oil ever drops back to the price it was in the 1980's and mid 1990's, they will more then likely be in trouble again.

Yeah, they want to "donate" oil to the US. 

After we lift the sanctions on their country. 

BRIBE is a better word.

Yeah, but it shows some kind of humanity
Even after the way the US treats Iran!

Yeah, but it shows some kind of humanity
Even after the way the US treats Iran!


Well, I think it is fairly safe to say that the current government in Iran "started it".

Taking over our embassy is only slightly illegal under International law.

Taking over our embassy is only slightly illegal under International law.


Do any of those "International Laws" say anything about taking over an entire nation?