Quote Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost
So you would be perfectly happy obliterating tens of thousands of people through a nuclear strike when there was doubt?
There will always be some doubt and they're perfectly aware of that. Thus, your original statement that Iran would never use a nuclear weapon out of fear of retaliation in kind falls flat doesn't it?

Buying enemies off is a time-honoured tactic. Especially when your military options are so limited. The vast majority of your countrymen don't want another war of any description on their hands.
Again, DPRNK showed how effective buying enemies off is. They may stop for a moment, but then they'll continue doing whatever they like- if they're caught again, they can "negotiate" for more extortion money. Meaningful sanctions would be a useful tool- but the UN again shows its uselessness with Russia/China blocking anything close to that. You seem to think that "diplomacy" consists of all carrot and no stick.

We do agree that it is likely that Iran will obtain a nuclear deterrent. Personally, I think we should give it to them as an act of guarantee and treat them like the regional power they are, and work with them to encourage the moderates to take that responsibility seriously.
Yes, Iran has been a responsible "regional power" so far hasn't it? I wonder how many US soldiers and Iraqi civilians have been killed by Iranian agents or the weapons they've supplied to Iraq? There's a fair chance that Ahmadinejad may go away in the next elections, but do you think he's the one that's approving their nuclear program or their actions in Iraq? He couldn't make decisions like that without approval from Iran's real leaders. It's his public statements that are getting Ahmadinejad into hot water.