By Tom Ashbrook.

American forces are neck deep in the war in Iraq, but in recent weeks an awful lot of the tough talk out of the Bush administration has been about the much bigger country next door, Iran.

And it’s not just talk. A second U.S. aircraft carrier is headed to the Persian Gulf. Minesweepers, too, and Patriot missiles. The U.S. Air Force is outlining “forceful patrols” on Iran’s border.

When the U.S. invaded Iraq, a senior Bush official said Iran should “take a number”. Now, with Iraq going badly and Iran defiantly pursuing its nuclear program, tensions are way up.

Some say it’s a U.S. bluff. Some fear an accidental and devastating war. Some believe White House hardliners want a war with Iran, and are going for it.

This hour On Point: what is really going on with Iran?

Guests:

Scott Peterson, Middle East Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor

Karim Sadjadpour, analyst with the International Crisis Group

Sam Gardiner, Retired Air Force Colonel & for many years, a professor of strategy and military operations at the National War College and the Air War College

Gary Sick, Professor of Middle East politics at Columbia University and director of the “Gulf 2000 Project”.