Any hellbentness on Iran's part to start the battle to end all battles is not even remotely negotiable under the terms the US and rest of the civilized world understand. It's religious thing with them, not a matter of economics or even face-saving.
Christians believe that Jesus is returning to claim His people and take them to be with Him forever. The coming will be sudden and unexpected, but no one “Not even the Son of Man” knows when it will happened. Lots of clues in Bible, but certainly not a calendar date.
Islam, OTOH, is also looking for a savior to return to Earth and lead their religion. The difference is Muslims believe for the savior to appear there must first be a huge war, wreaking all kinds of destruction and havoc on the world. Loonies among them believe triggering such a war will result in their man returning sooner.
There is no comparison between the future Christians and Jews see for the world and the future expected by Muslims. Muslims are intent on causing the war and the availability of nuclear weapons would result in them using them ASAP in order to speed the return of their man.
Lots of Americans and others around the world simply don't understand the gravity of the situation we face with Iran.
Iran will launch an assymetric attack on Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other nearby Arab neighbors in 2009, probably late summer/fall.
Bibi Netanyahu will get early elections and will win. Iran will be destroyed within 3 months following that election. And the world will be a better place.
Iran wants to attack Israel and will use terrorists it is aligned with to carry it out.
NObama hasn’t a clue how to handle such a crisis.