I Have Yet To Hear A Good Reason Why Iran Would Risk Its Own Destruction By Launching Nukes

[jberryhill]

3. Relative size and proximity

MAD worked between the US and the USSR partly because the US and USSR both have large territories and are far apart.

First, the early warning systems of both countries could detect incoming with enough margin to check false positives and with something like a 30 minute window to "use it or lose it".

Secondly, the size and arrangement of each side's force rendered a devastating counterstrike possible, even if a first strike landed. Missile installations were dispersed, redundant and hardened, in addition to the constant airborne and submarine forces.

Even if there was uncertainty in the 30 minute window, bomber forces could get up and head to their failsafe points.

Israel is a small target. Iran has a size and terrain advantage.