Does America and Iran's mutual mistrust mean war is inevitable?

[xSilverPhinx]

...

I also think that the region might actually become safer and more peaceful if Iran gets their bombs.

So far no two nuclear powers have gone to war. The most prominent example being India in Pakistan who have been notably better neighbours since they have both acquired nuclear arms. That being said, the most worrying aspect of Iran getting nuclear weapons is the anti-Israeli rhetoric that has been coming out of Tehran. I get the feeling that there are a limited number of fanatics in the power structure of Iran that would attack Israel if they could, irrespective of the outcome. But is my understanding simply the result of Western propaganda intended to create an environment that would allow a pre-emptive attack and/or invasion?

The anti-Israel rhetoric is one thing, but unless Iran themselves want to get nuked into oblivion (by other countries other than Israel in case they nuke them first) they're wanting these bomb purely to tip the balance a bit less in Israel's favour, who is the most powerful militarily in that region.

These sanctions intended to cripple Iran will only confirm their belief that they need more persuasive reasons not to be messed with. It's going to backfire. 

[Tank]

...

I also think that the region might actually become safer and more peaceful if Iran gets their bombs.

So far no two nuclear powers have gone to war. The most prominent example being India in Pakistan who have been notably better neighbours since they have both acquired nuclear arms. That being said, the most worrying aspect of Iran getting nuclear weapons is the anti-Israeli rhetoric that has been coming out of Tehran. I get the feeling that there are a limited number of fanatics in the power structure of Iran that would attack Israel if they could, irrespective of the outcome. But is my understanding simply the result of Western propaganda intended to create an environment that would allow a pre-emptive attack and/or invasion?

The anti-Israel rhetoric is one thing, but unless Iran themselves want to get nuked into oblivion (by other countries other than Israel in case they nuke them first) they're wanting these bomb purely to tip the balance a bit less in Israel's favour, who is the most powerful militarily in that region.

These sanctions intended to cripple Iran will only confirm their belief that they need more persuasive reasons not to be messed with. It's going to backfire. 

If Iran nuked Israel a third party could not retaliate, on Israel's behalf, without breaking international law as there are no mutual defence treaties in place between Israel and any other country. It would take a UN mandate to make an attack legal and you can bet that Russia would veto any attack as Iran virtually borders Russia with only Armenia and Azerbaijan in the way. 

[Too Few Lions]

I suspect the US and / or Israel may well hit Iran later this year (after the US elections), if sanctions and diplomacy don't look like they're going to deter Tehran. I'd expect missile strikes and air raids targeted against Iranian nuclear facilities and not a ground force invasion like in Iraq.

Iran has a highly repressive regime, like Syria and a lot of the Middle East. A large amount of Iranian people may rise up against the regime if they feel they feel it has been weakened and they have half a chance of toppling it, like has happened in numerous Middle eastern countries over the past year.

Let's also not forget as atheists that the Iranian regime would jail and even execute us for our beliefs, as they would any apostate from Islam or homosexual

http://www.iranianatheist.com/

Personally, I don't like the idea of a country that executes homosexuals and atheists having a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime also clearly dislikes the Israeli regime, and I'd be very worried if I was an Israeli if Iran develops nuclear weapons.

On the other hand the Israeli regime don't help themselves by occupying Palestinian land and appearing to have an active policy of settling and stealing more Palestinian land, that many Israeli's feel they have a god-given right to based on some old piece of mythology. That doesn't go down well at all in the Islamic world and rightly so, Israel might find itself a lot more popular in the Middle East if they treated the Palestinians better and vacated the occupied territories.

[Crow]

I think the primary threat of a possible war starting comes from Israel, they are highly aggressive and not just in Palestine so I wouldn't be surprised if they made the first move, but as it stands Iran haven't shown any aggression so any attack on them would be breaking international law, if an attack was to be made they would need to gather enough evidence that show that Iran are a serious threat so it will be internationally sanctioned. The West have created a monster with Israel and are like an arrogant, aggressive, annoying sibling of America hiding behind the elder when their actions get them into trouble, its about time the States told them to fuck off.

[Tank]

I think the primary threat of a possible war starting comes from Israel, they are highly aggressive and not just in Palestine so I wouldn't be surprised if they made the first move, but as it stands Iran haven't shown any aggression so any attack on them would be breaking international law, if an attack was to be made they would need to gather enough evidence that show that Iran are a serious threat so it will be internationally sanctioned. The West have created a monster with Israel and are like an arrogant, aggressive, annoying sibling of America hiding behind the elder when their actions get them into trouble, its about time the States told them to fuck off.

Israel would shoot first if they felt they were under a realistic threat. The Jewish lobby in the USA has kept Israel safe and I fear there is little reason to think that will change in years to come.

[ThinkAnarchy]

...

I also think that the region might actually become safer and more peaceful if Iran gets their bombs.

So far no two nuclear powers have gone to war. The most prominent example being India in Pakistan who have been notably better neighbours since they have both acquired nuclear arms. That being said, the most worrying aspect of Iran getting nuclear weapons is the anti-Israeli rhetoric that has been coming out of Tehran. I get the feeling that there are a limited number of fanatics in the power structure of Iran that would attack Israel if they could, irrespective of the outcome. But is my understanding simply the result of Western propaganda intended to create an environment that would allow a pre-emptive attack and/or invasion?

The anti-Israel rhetoric is one thing, but unless Iran themselves want to get nuked into oblivion (by other countries other than Israel in case they nuke them first) they're wanting these bomb purely to tip the balance a bit less in Israel's favour, who is the most powerful militarily in that region.

These sanctions intended to cripple Iran will only confirm their belief that they need more persuasive reasons not to be messed with. It's going to backfire.  

If Iran nuked Israel a third party could not retaliate, on Israel's behalf, without breaking international law as there are no mutual defence treaties in place between Israel and any other country. It would take a UN mandate to make an attack legal and you can bet that Russia would veto any attack as Iran virtually borders Russia with only Armenia and Azerbaijan in the way.  

That little law could be side stepped very easily. The U.S. simply needs to sink one of it's own ships or perhaps a British ship and blame it on Iran. It's believed to have been done at least once before with the U.S.S Maine. Also, wouldn't a nuclear blast in Israel have major effects on Iran due to the close proximity of the two countries? It simply seems like Iran or Israel nuking each other would be a death warrant for the attacking country as well.

I simply don't see Iran making the first move.

[Asmodean]

A large amount of Iranian people may rise up against the regime if they feel they feel it has been weakened and they have half a chance of toppling it, like has happened in numerous Middle eastern countries over the past year.

...Which would likely result in an epic bloodbath to make whatever them Syrians are doing look like petty theft compared to a killing spree.

[Crow]

Israel would shoot first if they felt they were under a realistic threat. The Jewish lobby in the USA has kept Israel safe and I fear there is little reason to think that will change in years to come.

Its bonkers considering how much sway the Jewish lobby has when you compare the percentage of Jewish people in America, sure NY has the largest Jewish community outside of Israel but that's still a tiny fraction compared to the total inhabitants of New York and the rest of the US.

[Too Few Lions]

A large amount of Iranian people may rise up against the regime if they feel they feel it has been weakened and they have half a chance of toppling it, like has happened in numerous Middle eastern countries over the past year.

...Which would likely result in an epic bloodbath to make whatever them Syrians are doing look like petty theft compared to a killing spree.

Very true, the current Iranian government does seem particularly violent and repressive. Unfortunately I also think the killing of citizens by the Syrian government is far from over yet. I find it deeply depressing that people want power that much that they will happily butcher their fellow citizens and rule through violence, fear and repression.

[Asmodean]

Eh... I think there are three possible short-term outcomes in Syria - the regime wins (maybe by virtue of the opposition "taking the hint", unlikely as it is), the outside world actively interferes with all possible implications OR an all-out civil war, in which case my money is on the guy with the palace.

That said, the leadership of Syrian opposition seems to be made of the same dirt as the current leadership of the country, so going with "the evil you know", I lean towards government forces victory being preferable.