Let’s just say that the European Nations and Iran aren’t quite getting along right now. “Europe will burn in the fire of Iran’s oil wells,” threatened Nasser Soudani, one of the members of the Iranian Parliament’s energy committee. “All European countries that made Iran the target of their sanctions will not be able to buy one drop of oil from Iran.”

Flashback to 2006 and this threat sounds a little – OK, a lot – like the one that was issued to the world as a whole and specifically targeted to the United States.

The standoff now continues on the same leg, with nuclear weapons and war strategies being the center of the ring. Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, and has recently begun operating drills near the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Despite Europe’s threats to refuse to buy any Iranian oil unless the nuclear program is shut down, Iran has scoffed in their face and has begun to retaliate with threats of their own.

By the insistence of the United Nations and a 1970-instituted treaty, only France, Russia, China, United Kingdom and United States are permitted to hold and contain nuclear weapons. Those countries have even been referred to as “The Nuclear Club.” These countries are also the only five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, thus which elevates them into positions of power over the other countries of the United Nations.

The nuclear “privilege,” so it seems, is only permitted to those who have sworn oaths to uphold and protect the moral guidelines of the United Nations and who are willing to act as guardians over the more poor and vulnerable countries of the world who are also members of the United Nations.

Europe, despite the threats from Iran, seems to be in pretty good standing. The Gulf oil suppliers in addition to Saudi Arabia have stated that they can, and will, make up the Iranian shortfall of which Europe is being deprived. Because of this continuous supply, Europe will not be in a position where they have to bend their now policy and be forced to continue the oil supply by the angry demand of the public.

Angered by the diminished sales that Europe will be forcing upon them as soon as contracts expire on July 1, Iranian citizens fear the prospect of an actual war over the matter, according to a Washington Post report.

The Iranian economy could be crippled over diminished supplies for an extended period of time, whether by their own sanctions or by blockage from other countries.

As a giant in the oil industry, Iran holds power over nations that other countries could only dream of. But currently, with the help of smaller nations around Europe, Iran is being held in check.

Hopefully, with the ongoing disapproval from the United Nations and the world as a whole, Iran will realize that they cannot do as they wish without regard for other countries.