Most likely a means of distracting people from domestic problems, and a means of provoking America. We aren’t in a position to conquer them, and I’m sure the Iranian government would love a Bush bombing campaign. Then they can blame everything that’s wrong in Iran on America and make it stick, and cripple the reformers, AND make us look bad, all at the same time.
We need the “Secret” descriptor for the weapons or else Israel takes them out with extreme prejudice, consequences be damned.
So the world makes Saddam Hussein world dictator for life? Because no one will think of the children? Odds are if Saddam makes the threat you state Iraq has a new dictator within the hour. Even if risking the eradication of Iraq for his own personal glory were within Saddam’s desires, everyone else in the chain of command might prefer they and their families remain alive. Iraq’s bluff had been called once, to go all in with the pathetic hand Iraq holds is suicidal.
Losing Israel would not be much worse, if any, to trusting patriot missiles and hoping for the best. (from a US domestic political process). Actual Appeasement!!! Blank check for all future conquests!
Not all nuclear arsenals are equal. Everything you say about it affecting our freedom of action works even moreso against Saddam. For Saddam, it’s all about Saddam (if it weren’t he wouldn’t precisely the same threat). The US has a whole slew of different priorities that come into play.