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Iran Has Used Its Weapons to Strike Its Neighbors
(Substack) J.T. Young - Every Iranian action underscores why this regime cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons. During the two months of the current conflict, Iran has managed to make its opponents' case for them time and again. Iran has made it clear with each action why it wants nuclear weapons, what it would do with nuclear weapons, and on whom it would turn them. Iran's refusal to renounce its intention to obtain nuclear weapons brought on the preemptive strike that buried much of Iran's nuclear material under heaps of rubble last year. Their continued intention to pursue nuclear weapons brought on the current conflict. Iran has used the weapons at its disposal, mostly ballistic missiles and drones, with little concern about civilian casualties (nine in one attack on Israel; Iran has also used cluster bombs on Israel). These have been fired in enormous quantities at virtually every target in the region. None of Iran's massive firings have improved its position militarily or diplomatically. The result has only been terror; the same terrorism that Iran once sponsored through its myriad proxies, it now pursues baldly on its own. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an economic version of its military tactics. It is an indiscriminate use of an economic weapon against any and all parties within reach. It inflicts pain on those residing half a world away from the conflict. It is simply another version of terrorism. If Iran gets nuclear weapons, it will use them the same way it has used the weapons it currently has at hand - indiscriminately. Just as it has had no compunction on inflicting slaughter now, it would have none inflicting slaughter on anyone who would oppose its goals later. In every future dispute with this Iranian regime, its nuclear capability would be in the background. Appeasing Iran will mean arming Iran; arming Iran will mean nuclear weapons. The writer served in the U.S. Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget.