The test firing of two long range missiles on Monday by Iran’s Navy solidifies the fear that 2012 is going to be a year or tension between the Iranian government in Tehran and the United States. There were also claims on Monday that Iran has made a breakthrough with their nuclear program. Both of these factors could lead to a dangerous showdown with the allies of the West and the Iranian government.

Mahmoud Mousavi, Iran’s deputy navy commander, made a statement on Iranian television saying “successfully test-fired long-range ground to water and ground to ground missiles.” These missile tests came toward the end of the 10-day navy exercises to close the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran does close the Strait of Hormuz, the rest of the world could feel the increase in gas prices.

Tehran announced on Sunday that they had successfully produced their first nuclear fuel rod. The Iranian government is claiming that they are making radioisotopes for cancer treatment within the country; however, US intelligence officers and nuclear inspectors believe the country is producing nuclear weapons.

The United States has issued a call to other nations to sanction the Tehran government in an effort to cease the creation of nuclear weapons. These sanctions have created revolts inside the government, an organization that has been feeling stressed financially since the sanctions were put in place.

James Carafano, a defense analyst for The Heritage Foundation, was quoted saying “the weakness shown by the Obama White House has only encouraged Iran to adopt a more reckless foreign policy. Meanwhile, with dissent growing at home and in neighboring Syria, Tehran has been looking for any excuse to focus on the ‘external’ enemy and divert attention from domestic problems.”

Many analysts are dead set on branding Iran as a nuclear threat, citing peace talks a null option. These analysts are vying for the Iranian government to be pushed hard during 2012 to resolve any issues with nuclear capabilities.