When Iran has the ability to orbit only ONE nuclear warhead, they can devastate the United States.
How? Through the use of an exo-atmospheric EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack.
Even a low yield primitive nuke, exploded above the United States at the altitude of the Iranian satellite, could cause catastrophic destruction – far more than a few nuclear explosions from warheads hitting US cities via missile or terrorists.
EMP destroys or disables electrical and electronic equipment. It is especially damaging to semiconductor electronics, and the computers that run our society (and even our automobiles) are semiconductor based.
An EMP pulse can generate thousands to tens of thousands of volts in a circuit. Modern computer chips will be destroyed by 3-15 volts.
The pulse can generate millions of amperes of current in power lines, damaging electrical power generation and distribution systems. This would also destroy devices connected to the grid – appliances, factory equipment, food warehouse refrigerators, hospital equipment, water pumps, etc.
If there is even a small chance that deterrence will not work with Iran, we have no choice but to stop their nuclear weapons program, at any cost.
