# Iran offers to help US oil spill **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549 "2010-05-24T08:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marmite\_Lover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/1 "2010-05-24T08:05:35Z")
The National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) has renewed its offer to assist the US in reining in an ecologically disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Mehran Alinejad, the head of special drilling operations at NIDC, pointed to the experience gained by Iranian experts in containing huge oil leaks during the eight-year Iraqi-imposed war in the 1980s, and said, “Iranian technical teams have had major achievements in oil well capping and the Gulf of Mexico oil rig is not a great feat in comparison.” [http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127487§ionid=351020101](http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127487§ionid=351020101) Time for the US to ask for help or carry on letting it kill all the wildlife? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/2 "2010-05-24T08:22:28Z")
[http://epi.yale.edu/Countries](http://epi.yale.edu/Countries) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/3 "2010-05-24T08:38:13Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > [http://epi.yale.edu/Countries](http://epi.yale.edu/Countries) Besides the point. The question isn’t how clean they keep their country, it’s how good they are with capping oil wells, and if it’s useful to let them help. Also, that’s not an oil specific list; and we aren’t even all that much higher on it. 63.5 compared to 60.0? Not exactly a huge edge. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/4 "2010-05-24T08:52:47Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Not exactly a huge edge. Given that the US has far more factories, cars, and a greater overall power needs, to still come out ahead is fairly impressive. But more importantly, I interpret the OP as an attempt at a “Nyahah, you guys suck!” Trying to thumb your nose at someone who you are worse at doesn’t really stand. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/5 "2010-05-24T09:16:07Z")
Where’s the debate? You’ve just cited an Iranian state-run propaganda network that’s trying to make a political point… that you seem to be supporting. But that ignores the facts involved. > [@](#): > > if we receive a suitable response from relevant [American] officials we can examine the issue and contribute to its resolution," > […] Iran has twice offered to help the US avoid the looming ecological catastrophe. > > Washington, which has been pressing on with a campaign to impose a fourth round of tough UN sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, has yet to respond to the Iranian offer. Obviously, this has nothing to do with UN sanctions and experience capping oil wells on dry land is just a biiiiiit different than capping them deep under water. > [@Marmite\_Lover](#): > > Time for the US to ask for help or carry on letting it kill all the wildlife? This isn’t a debate, it’s a set of false premises wrapped up in a bifurcation fallacy. It wasn’t “Iran” that offered to help, it was one Iranian firm. They don’t have any solutions, they’ve merely offered to look at the data. It hasn’t been “The US” trying to seal the leak, it’s been BP. And the US government has already said that [if BP can’t meet their responsibility, they’ll find someone who can.](http://www.vancouversun.com/news/government+take+control+spill+response+stumbles/3064589/story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/6 "2010-05-24T09:17:36Z")
If BP want to hire some Iranian oil rig experts, I don’t see a problem with it. It’s got nothing to do with the US government “asking for help”. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/7 "2010-05-24T09:26:37Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > It’s got nothing to do with the US government “asking for help”. That’s the point, of course. An Iranian firm made some general offers of general advice, and also claims that they’re unable to proceed until they receive "a suitable response from relevant [American] officials " (whatever that means). Except the US government hasn’t been handling the spill, it’s been BP. And it’s telling that we’re getting this story for Iran’s state-run propaganda services trying to score points about it, rather than having the Iranian oil folks simply talk to BP and attempt to collaborate on technical issues. Iranian oil firms don’t require US permission to talk to BP. Nor do they require US permission to offer advice or receive information from BP to better craft a solution. This is simply nonsensical Iranian state propaganda aimed at tweaking America’s nose. Not surprising, but hardly a real debate for this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/8 "2010-05-24T09:58:10Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > That’s the point, of course. I agree with you, but your post wasn’t there when I was writing mine. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/9 "2010-05-24T10:04:43Z")
I’m tricky like that 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Walther\_Ego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Walther\_Ego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walther_Ego)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/10 "2010-05-24T12:21:44Z")
As far as I know, Iran has no deep water oil production. In, fact I’m not sure they have deep water. Doesn’t mean they couldn’t have usefu technology, but makes me dubious. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/11 "2010-05-24T13:40:38Z")
Better question for debate: why doesn’t Iran take up the United States’ offer to improve the quality of life of Iranians by ending its tyrannical government and support for terrorism? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/12 "2010-05-24T15:28:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Better question for debate: why doesn’t Iran take up the United States’ offer to improve the quality of life of Iranians by ending its tyrannical government and support for terrorism? As long as we are throwing in irrelevancies, why doesn’t America stop invading countries that aren’t a threat to it and end its blind worship of the rich? That has as much to do with the subject of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/13 "2010-05-24T16:23:15Z")
If the US is to be condemned for not taking the “helpful” advice of Iran, then Iran surely is not above reproach for failing to accept Western advice on not being a dictatorship, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/14 "2010-05-24T16:32:19Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > An Iranian firm made some general offers of general advice, and also claims that they’re unable to proceed until they receive "a suitable response from relevant [American] officials " (whatever that means). Except the US government hasn’t been handling the spill, it’s been BP. And it’s telling that we’re getting this story for Iran’s state-run propaganda services trying to score points about it, rather than having the Iranian oil folks simply talk to BP and attempt to collaborate on technical issues. > > Iranian oil firms don’t require US permission to talk to BP. Nor do they require US permission to offer advice or receive information from BP to better craft a solution. This is simply nonsensical Iranian state propaganda aimed at tweaking America’s nose. Not surprising, but hardly a real debate for this forum. Since Iranian goods _and services_ are currently under US sanctions (and have been since 1987), they certainly do require permission to talk to BP. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/15 "2010-05-24T16:43:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Since Iranian goods _and services_ are currently under US sanctions (and have been since 1987), they certainly do require permission to talk to BP. In addition, if Iranian experts were to go to the area of the oil spill, they’d need visas to enter the U.S. – and the decision about granting them would probably be made at a fairly high level in the U.S. government. I think it’s an offer made for propaganda purposes more than anything else, knowing that BP and the U.S. government are unlikely to take up the offer. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/16 "2010-05-24T16:48:45Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > If the US is to be condemned for not taking the “helpful” advice of Iran, then Iran surely is not above reproach for failing to accept Western advice on not being a dictatorship, etc. It’s not liken the West has ever actually been anti-dictatorship; just anti-dictators that aren’t Western puppets. Iran, of all places knows that. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/17 "2010-05-24T17:06:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Since Iranian goods _and services_ are currently under US sanctions (and have been since 1987), they certainly do require permission to talk to BP. BP is a **British** company. No permission is needed from the US govt for them to consult on technical matters, as long as any “technology transfer” is going from Iran to BP, and not the other way around. British govt permission, on the other hand is up to British law. Not my field. That said, what kind of technical expertise do the Iranians actually _have_? All their oil industry technology came from foreign companies, BP among them. I seriously doubt that they have developed anything on their own that might be very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/18 "2010-05-24T17:21:14Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > BP is a **British** company. No permission is needed from the US govt for them to consult on technical matters, as long as any “technology transfer” is going from Iran to BP, and not the other way around. British govt permission, on the other hand is up to British law. Not my field. But BP is operating in the U.S. through subsidiaries that are incorporated in the U.S., such as BP America Inc. Because they are operating in the U.S., and particularly because the subsidiaries are incorporated in the U.S., they are subject to U.S. law, including the embargo on trade with Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/19 "2010-05-24T17:30:16Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > In addition, if Iranian experts were to go to the area of the oil spill, they’d need visas to enter the U.S. – and the decision about granting them would probably be made at a fairly high level in the U.S. government. > > I think it’s an offer made for propaganda purposes more than anything else, knowing that BP and the U.S. government are unlikely to take up the offer. As do I - but I don’t see how it would hurt to have them come and look. Hell, it might be a watershed moment in US-Iranian relations. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549/20 "2010-05-24T18:54:46Z")
If they really have something they can do to help, then we should swallow our pride and accept it. Of course, it’s still possible that this is just a political bluff, and they don’t have anything constructive to offer at all. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-offers-to-help-us-oil-spill/540549.md?page=2)