Come to think of it, why hasn't Israel launched any? We know they have them, Iran knows they have them, and they're not as restrained.
Come to think of it, why hasn't Israel launched any? We know they have them, Iran knows they have them, and they're not as restrained.
My guess has always been the delicate balance of perception. Nukes are (rightfully) perceived to be beyond the basic destruction we've come to expect of war. They're a tool for annihilation. If you use them offensively the rest of the world will become so afraid of you that they'll nuke you so you can't nuke them. Israel isn't strong enough to entertain the idea that they could survive this.
I really don't think that country is worried about its international perception right now.
This is such an interesting point. Interesting as in terrifying.
I would assume that while Iran doesn't have the material for a bomb, they have enough nasty material for an air burst to do significant long-term impact. They couldn't possibly use it unless Israel nuked them first.
Iran's previous leader - the one we killed - had a mandate to build up material for nuclear bombs but not actually develop a bomb. Its new leader also wants to develop a bomb.