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croes 6 hours ago

Would it change much if Iran had nukes?

Israel has nukes too so as soon Iran bombs Israel they strike back, not to mention the US reaction.

MAD would lead to a stalemate

grumple 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Iran believes in martyrdom, which absolutely changes the reasoning. They would destroy Israel in a heartbeat even if it meant losing 90% of their population.

nsingh2 3 hours ago | parent [-]

> Iran believes in martyrdom

Don't confuse religious rhetoric with actual state behavior.

In Iran’s case the highest religious authority has repeatedly issued a fatwa declaring the use of nuclear weapons forbidden.

Pakistan’s army motto invokes jihad, yet it has treated its arsenal as a shield against invasion so far, not a ticket to paradise.

Israel’s so-called Samson Option evokes a biblical suicide attack, but I doubt they'll use nukes for anything but deterrent.

North Korean propaganda urges citizens to die for the Leader, and I'm sure there are other nations I've not listed who's dominant religions have some sort of martyrdom idea, which use nukes as deterrents.

Look at political interests, command structures, and the costs of escalation, not whether a nation honors death in battle (which one doesn't?)