Like I said Israel will not go quietly into the night this time...they will take down the whole mideast if they go.
You're right .. thing could get really nasty
There is something in our national psyche about a good "little guy" being picked on by a bad "big guy". It's very well ingrained -- probably a cultural memory from the revolutionary war. Thus many here view citizens from the USA and Israel as "brothers to the bone". Religion adds even more to the mix -- but I think it's mainly about our inherent interest in fair play and standing up against evil.
I also assume that neither us nor Israel are going to wait for the Iranian ICBM to land before we shower the imams with our own payloads. Let's say it would take 25 minutes or more for an Iranian ICBM to hit Israel. Missiles launched in retaliation from our subs in the Persian Gulf could conceivably hit Tehran before theirs hits Jerusalem, no? Therefore, the Iranians have got to know that as soon as they press that red button, they are sealing their fate and the fate of their country.
Not that they care. This of course, is the opening scene of their glorious return of the Imam, don-cha know...