MAD doesn't work vis-a-vis Iran. But it can if you face reality. The reality is this, without Russia and China Iran is powerless. Russia and China are hellbent on either engaging us in open war or weakening us by any means possible, you know, the Cold War Part Duex. OK, fine, its time to stop pussy footing around with these two and call it like it is. Tell China and Russia that since they want a new Cold War you will give them one.
If Iran is their client state they must control it. How about this for starters if Iran or North Korea for that matter launches an attack directly or indirectly against the U.S. or its allies, it will be regarded as a DIRECT attack upon the U.S. by Russia and/or China. If that attack is nuclear, then Russia and China are basically enabling Iran to end the world.
See how fun it is for Russia and China then. If Putin wants to re-start the Cold War, I suggest that he remember that at least the old Soviet Union had an iron fisted control over its client states.
"Tell China and Russia that since they want a new Cold War you will give them one. "
Silly person... then what would we sell at WalMart?