This article challenges the idea that sanctions are working and that we even want to stop Iran from having nuclear weapons.
Further, so many of our allies have gotten exemptions from the sanctions that the idea that the world is united against Iran's nuclear program is farcical. If the world was truly united to stop Iran, they'd implement sanctions fully without our arm twisting and they'd side with us or Israel for attacking Iran as Iran continues to move forward to get nuclear weapons.
Or do you really believe that Iran is pressing ahead in defiance of the unified world in order to have cheap and clean nuclear energy (and locally produced radioisotopes to fight cancer)?
I have to say that I agree that the Obama administration will pretend not to see Iran's nuclear capabilities if Iran pretends not to have nuclear weapons. But I think Iran's rulers have such contempt for us that they won't go along with that charade. Feith puts it well:
Would this president, so dedicated to multilateralism (except where targeting al Qaeda is concerned), launch a major military campaign against Iran even without Russian and Chinese support at the U.N.? Do Iran's leaders think he would? Or have they noticed that American officials often repeat the "all-options-on-the-table" mantra as mere throat clearing before they list all the reasons why attacking Iran is a terrifying prospect?
Iran will detonate a nuclear weapon--perhaps in North Korea--and will show it off the same way they show off every pretend wonder weapon that they cobble together.
Unless Israel strikes first because all the worries about what might go wrong in an attack on Iran pale in comparison to all the problems that could unfold if Iran goes nuclear:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said confronting Israel is an effort to "protect the dignity of all human beings."
"The existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to all humanity," Ahmadinejad said. He was addressing worshippers at Tehran University after nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies, an annual event marking Quds (Jerusalem) Day on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.
If the world is truly united over Iran's nuclear path, they'll understand the need to hammer Iran's nuclear program and breathe a sigh of relief if it succeeds.