Iran is engaging in even more brinkmanship than usual. The radical nation has already been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil passes, in response to sanctions over its nuclear program.
Iran insists that program is for peaceful purposes and not for the production of weapons. But nothing in Iran's long and enthusiastic sponsorship of terrorism gives the rest of the world any reason to accept such claims at face value. So international nuclear inspectors are on a visit to Iran to look into what is strongly suspected: that the country's nuclear aims are weapon-related.
Meanwhile, Iran has cut off its oil shipments to Britain and France, also in retaliation for sanctions, and may cut supplies to some other European nations. That has helped boost world oil prices and what we all pay for gasoline. It also boosts the prices for other goods, which are now more costly to transport.
Watching this with intense interest is Israel, which has been threatened with destruction by Iran and may seek to destroy or at least damage Iran's nuclear facilities.
What the inspectors find in Iran is important. But what Israel decides to do in the coming weeks and months will likely be more important.