Why wouldn’t Iran want nukes?

Over at the Weekly Standard, “Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) unloads on President Obama” (emphasis mine):

 “President Obama’s recent comment in support of Iranian nuclear power is both shocking and reckless. Supporting Iran’s “legitimate [nuclear] aspirations” ignores all recent history and smacks of the same naive and misguided approach that allowed for North Korea to gain nuclear power – and now possess nuclear weapons. In a bow to our worst enemies, the President is showing a striking ability to imitate former President Jimmy Carter.

“In just recent memory, Iran has funded terrorist activities against U.S. troops and our allies, called for the destruction of both the U.S. and our strong ally Israel, and sought to systematically destabilize the Middle East and world. Does the President believe Iran wants nuclear power to do their part in combating climate change? Iran has made it abundantly clear what sinister plans they have with nuclear power – and both the U.S. and our allies have great reason to worry.

“There are few scenarios worse than Iran gaining nuclear power – and subsequently nuclear weapons – to threaten and potentially attack the U.S. and our closest allies. The President should immediately recant his support for Iranian nuclear power and consider better options to protect our nation, not endanger it.”

Why don’t we ever believe that our enemies will do exactly what they say they will do when they threaten us or our allies?  Is it that we simply cannot fully comprehend evil?  Hitler outlined his final solution to the “Jewish problem” in Mein Kampf yet all were shocked by the Holocaust.  He wrote out what he wanted to do.  Why wouldn’t he attempt to make good on that mission statement?

Iran has stated many times its desire to wipe Israel off the map and yet some peaceniks (apparently our President) believe that it is not pursuing a nuclear weapon.  Why wouldn’t it want a nuclear weapon when it would help them achieve its stated goals?  Considering its stated goals, it’d be foolish of Iran not to want a nuclear weapon.  It’d be pretty tough to ”wipe Israel off the map” with conventional weapons and suicide bombers.  But with a nuclear weapon?  Problem solved.  As they’d say in the legal/law enforcement profession:  there’s a motive! 

If a friend keeps mentioning casually that he wants to lose twenty pounds, yet continues to eat bad foods and never works out, you casually brush off his comments as wishful thinking.  As his actions do not reflect his desires, his desire to pursue stated goals is not credible.  But if your friend tells you that he wants to lose twenty pounds, then eliminates sweets, fast food and beer from his diet, eats smaller portions and more fruit, begins running and lifting weights three times a week, hires a trainer, and remains disciplined for months, you’d have to conclude that he is serious about losing twenty pounds.

Why don’t we believe Iran is serious about wiping Israel off the map?  Is it too much for us to comprehend?

At least North Korea doesn’t really have any natural, sworn enemies and isn’t driven by an apocalyptic, fully-developed ideology with millions of devout followers (and millions more fellow travelers).  Kim Jong-Il is certainly a loon on some levels, but he’s pretty good at trotting out his nukes every two years to get things - respect, money, concessions - from the West.  Iran has all of the above and a specific, stated reason for nuclear weapons: the elimination of Israel.  How can some still believe that he doesn’t want nuclear weapons?