IIRC, this "President" is the one who matched the face of a picture from the US Embassy hostage days. Insane or not, he clearly has decided who he likes and who he doesn't.
If Israel can destroy Iran ten times over, then the US can burn Iran all the way down to sub-continental basalt. No surprises all around on this point. The dedicated turbs like to self immolate, but when they do, from their point of view, they are still gaining something. I see no gain for themturning their own country into a cinder.
Then why all the trash talk, deliberately provocative? If the cinder ending holds no gain for Iran, then either they believe they can prevent it, or else they are only threatening it without intending to actually carry it out.
Obviously we have to be aware of and ready for the former possibility, but missing cues that point towards the second possibility would be just as costly a mistake as failing to plan for the former.
Can a third rate sandbox achieve superpower status by threatening nuclear armageddon and then backing off at the brink? Yes, Russia did, except we didn't know at the time that their military was third rate. We seem to like to have one "go to" enemy in our pockets at all times, does Iran realize this and are they applying for the job?
If so, and if we also need to keep in mind a possible intent to go all the way, how do we cover both bases?
Lots of answers there, but the big one is to quietly get ready and stay ready until the board looks right from our side of it, make our move, dispense with the trash, all the while keeping the issue on the back burner as much as possible.
Iran a superpower?
Uh-huh, sure, when pigs fly out my butt.
Assuming, of course, that they are rational, and are starting from the same cultureal premises as our logic.
You know what happens when you ass-u-me...
Yes,he was one of the"students"who took the embassy employees hostage."Why all the trash talk?"Remember Saddamm was threatening and violating sanctions all the way up to the point we finally invaded.He didn't take us seriously,and he thought the posturing bolstered his image in Iraq and the ME.Back to Iran.I'm not sure exactly how much authority Pres Ahmadiejad actually has.I doubt he could pull the trigger on his own initiative.He has the mullahs to contend with.Who has the real power in Iran?
I think it is more dangerous than that. I believe that nut job in Iran believes this "12th" Iman will use divine powers to protect Iran from destruction.