[oceanview]

they won't use a nuke - they would be incinerated within 15 minutes.

but what they can do - is launch many regional attacks on strategic targets - oil fields in iraq, tankers in the persian gulf, use their syrian and hezbollah proxies in israel, terrorism and shia militias inside iraq - all at once, and at the very same time, north korea sets off a nuclear test, and iran announces they have purchased 10 of the now proven weapons.

the US won't use nukes first - so, what do we do in this scenario?

[nitzy]

Absolutely nothing except throw a welcome to the club party. China and Russia will never buy into sanctions. Iran supplies them with enormous amounts of energy and buys enormous amouts of weapons. We (the west) have been immasculated in Iraq and Lebanon. There is nothing left to do except try to pit the sunni against the shia throughout the ME and hope they battle it out amongst themselves. I don't know which side we will pick.

[mkjessup]

they won't use a nuke - they would be incinerated within 15 minutes.

They don't care about incineration IF they believe it possible that Israel too, might be incinerated. The only difference between Mohammed Atta and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the former had a box cutter, and the latter possibly has a nuke at his disposal. But what they have in common is that the former is now deader than a doornail, and the latter soon will be, which is EXACTLY WHAT THEY SEEK. They are not rational and are not constrained by what we perceive to be reasonable and responsible behaviorial standards.

the US won't use nukes first - so, what do we do in this scenario?

Don't be too sure the U.S. won't use nukes first.

We used them first in 1945 didn't we? And we are in a post 9/11 world, and that means all bets are off.

[garjog]

"they would be incinerated within 15 minutes"

But, that would fulfill the prophesy of the whole world burning in fire before the Hidden Imam returns.

Sort of like, "Hey Hidden Imam! Look we destroyed the world, now darn it, you have to return. And bring a few virgins while your at it."

They don't call him Ah-MAD-inejad for nothing.

[cookcounty]

"the US won't use nukes first - so, what do we do in this scenario?"

Destroy Kharg Island, it's very vulnerable, and almost all Iran's oil fkows through it.

[philetus]

they won't use a nuke - they would be incinerated within 15 minutes."

He won't, He would be.

Ahmadinejad would just be doing his suicide bomber bit.He sure as hell doesn't care about the Iranian people.