The Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears may be preparing for a showdown this Sunday at the Super Bowl XLI, but a far more serious showdown is percolating, one between Iran and the United States.

The news
Tensions between the two countries have been brewing for some time. Here’s a play by play of this week’s heated events:

Monday: A front-page New York Times story quotes an Iranian official saying Iran seeks to extend its military and financial role in Iraq. President Bush warns that the United Stateswill “respond firmly” if Iran ups its military support in Iraq. (U.S.officials believe Iran is providing Iraq militias with money and weapons.)
 

Tuesday: U.S senators from both parties caution against war with Iran just as the Pentagon investigates Iranfor its possible role in a January attack in Karbala. Five U.S. soldiers were killed in what was perhaps a retaliation strike against the U.S. for its arrest of five Iranians in northern Iraq.

Wednesday: The Associated Press reports analysts and U.S. military officials worry tensions are so high that a minor incident could trigger war.

Thursday: Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells reporters the country is quickly “becoming a super power.”

Roots of conflict
What’s behind the back and forth? U.S. officials and some European leaders want Iran to stop its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad wants to enrich uranium, a key component in nuclear weapons, which Iran says would only be used to generate nuclear energy. After pressing Iran to no avail for months to curb the program, the United Nations imposed sanctions in December.

The big picture
In almost sounds like a case of the telephone game—or a “he said, she said” of sorts—as the United States refuses to engage in direct talks with Iran unless it halts the nuclear program. Perhaps that’s why Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is concerned the two countries are using Iraq as a battleground for their own dispute. Tensions are likely to escalate as a looming sanctions deadline nears. Interestingly, leaders of both countries are under increasing criticism at home.