Iran has no intention of building a nuclear bomb, and there is no credible evidence that they've ever had any intention of building a nuclear bomb.

Really? If I was Iran and I thought I could get away with I bloody well would. If there is one thing that modern Western foreign policy has taught us it's that nukes are worth having.

That's because you're a conservative warhawk. Fortunately, most Iranians are not.

I'd say most Iranians were pretty conservative. It is a theocracy, after all.


This new deadline effectively means Iran will get a nuclear bomb, or at least be permitted to reach the capacity to make one on very short notice. Rather like Japan or Canada.

I happen to think that America can live with a nuclear Iran. Israel, however, cannot. Nor can Saudi Arabia. I would be less surprised than ever if Israel attacked Iran this winter. It's in a unique position to do so without facing retaliation from Iran now. This is because Iran's proxy Hezbollah is being bled white in Syria.

By acting now Israel can set Iran's progress back years and possibly destroy Hezbollah forever if it invades Lebanon as well. Will Netanyahu grasp the nettle? Who knows?

Invictus
Iranians may be conservative, but it's not being a theocracy that would do so. It's the government that is more likely to be conservative because it is in a theocracy. It is important to make distinctions between the government and the populace.

Otherwise, I agree that there is no major threat to America from a nuclear Iran. Israel would lose the position as "only nuclear power in Middle East" though. I imagine they don't want that to happen.

I didn't say there was no major threat. I said we could live with it. A nuclear Iran will be a disaster, but a manageable one. Rather like the overthrow of the Shah.

@ mendax

In what sense am I a conservative warhawk? Although as pets go I can't imagine one that sounds cooler.