Quote Originally Posted by Rex Brynen View Post
Iran's relations with Hizbullah are of a qualitatively different sort than those with other groups.

Moreover, Iran already possesses non-conventional weapons capabilities (chemical, radiological, possibly biological) which it has chosen NOT to pass on to Hizbullah. Tehran understands very well Israel's deterrent capabilities, and the likely consequences of any such transfer.
Supposedly we require missile defenses in Europe because of Iranian threats of missile attack. That would be suicidal for Iran, too. The point is that religious extremists who may believe in the coming of a leader who will save them if they take some first step, may do something not rational to most of us.

Plus, skimmed through four CSIS reports just now. While none said Iran was giving CBRN to Hezbollah, they are readily giving them the type of missiles and rockets that can launch such weapons if they get the CBRN somewhere else or through their own production (see slides 42 and 43 of 3rd report).

http://csis.org/files/publication/10...rief-Asymm.pdf

Difference is that Israel hands out gas masks to its civilians. Persistent chemicals are largely point weapons and can be decontaminated or evaporate in heat. Nukes...not so much.

Skiimming/searching the CSIS reports also revealed that Israeli Jericho missiles could be part of their attack as well. Add to that sub missile attacks and the air-breathing range issue may not be as critical to ensure engagement of multiple targets. If it buys time for Saudi Arabia to buy $70 billion in new weapons from us and for Israel to get F-35 and better missile defenses, it may be worth it to them both?