[defenderSD]

There's another interpretation of this letter that I think is more likely than a declaration of war. Iran has been complaining that we're using psychological warfare against them. I think this letter is just intended to be some psychological warfare against us in retaliation, just to "get even." Iran is not going to attack us until the day they actually have nuclear weapons (if we allow them to build nukes). If they attack us now, they have no chance of defeating the US military, and they know they would surely lose.

[blasater1960]

"they have no chance of defeating the US military, and they know they would surely lose."

Exactly...which is why I really do wonder if this kook-nut already has a Nuke(s). He is being very beligerent for someone who has only spun a gram or two of Uranium. He is acting as one who will try to fool the world into thinking has only a gram or two and then shocks the world when he touches one off in Tel Aviv or NYC.

[livius]

The problem is that, I suspect, they already have nukes or they wouldn't even be doing this. Secondly, they don't care if they lose. They're convinced that their 12th Imam is going to emerge out of a well in Tehran and make everything okay for them.

Sounds nutty, and that's why it's like being attacked by Mars, as somebody else pointed out.

[SauronOfMordor]

I think this letter is just intended to be some psychological warfare against us in retaliation, just to "get even." Iran is not going to attack us until the day they actually have nuclear weapons (if we allow them to build nukes). If they attack us now, they have no chance of defeating the US military, and they know they would surely lose.

He gave us the "call to Islam", which is supposed to precede an attack. He's telling the whole Muslim world he's going to attack the US. If he doesn't attack, and attack fairly soon, he loses face. Muslims hate losing face (look up "honor killing")

[sageb1]

There are also some who think the 12th Imam thing is a ruse and being used by Ahmadinejad to rally more Islamist support.