Why does Iran want nuclear bombs?

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If the reason for the US and Israel for attacking Iran is to prevent it from building atom bombs, why can't Iran simply abandon its nuclear ambition? It is not as simple as that. ​The fundamental reason why Iran wants its own nuclear capability is to deter its enemies, primarily Israel. Regimes with nuclear weapons like North Korea are rarely invaded or overthrown, while those that gave up their nuclear armaments like Ukraine or their programs like Libya, or lacked them (like Iraq under Saddam) were eventually overthrown with support from Western-led forces (e.g. Iraq). Since Iran has not yet achieved its full nuclear capability, Israel and the US think it is strategic to prevent the same from happening. Iran views a nuclear deterrent as the ultimate form of defense against any military attack by the U.S. or Israel, which is happening right now. Because of the current war, Iran is more encouraged to fulfill its nuclear goals for its own survival. The US calls it an evil regime. Trump might need to look at the mirror. 

​Just like China in Asia and Russia in Eastern Europe, Iran wants to be the dominant power in the Middle East. It is a way of countering its rivals, knowing that it has an advantage by means of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 20% of the global oil trade. Iran stopped all forms of traffic in the narrow passageway a few days ago, hence, the skyrocketing oil prices across the globe. Iran as a nuclear power is an existential threat to Israel. But since Israel is also nuclear capable, the same can only mean death to the concept of global security which the US thinks is under its control. Saudi Arabia, which projects power in the region, actually depends on the US. The reason why the US wants to control the ME is oil. Oil is about energy security. The destruction of the oil infrastructure in the ME would be devastating to the global economy. Hence, Iran is targeting its neighboring countries to demoralize its leaders, whose wealth come from oil, believing that ultimately they will pressure the US and Israel to stop the aggression. This is what diplomatic leverage is about when all parties will get tired of firing their rockets and missiles and with that solemn prayer for mankind, finally meet on the negotiating table.

- Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD 

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