Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned in 2012 that a military strike on Iran would make a nuclear-armed Iran inevitable, as the program would only be “burred deeper and made more covert.” This sentiment is echoed by experts, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden and Central Command chief Anthony Zinni, who caution that a US or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities could have catastrophic consequences.
If successful, the attacks may cause Iranian centrifuges and uranium stocks to be destroyed, but this would not prevent the country from pursuing nuclear weapons. In fact, it could accelerate the process, with Iran potentially producing enough uranium for 10 bombs in just a few weeks. A crude device similar to the bomb used to destroy Hiroshima 80 years ago could also be assembled and smuggled into the territory of a US ally or America itself.
The nuclear risks do not stop at Iran, as two other nations involved – Israel and the United States – possess nuclear-armed capabilities. The threat of nuclear war looms large, with experts warning that the world may soon see an escalation of nuclear arms, undermining global nonproliferation efforts.
If the US were to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, it could lead to a domino effect, causing nations around the world to build their own nuclear arsenals. The already fragile nuclear nonproliferation regime would collapse, plunging the world back into nuclear anarchy, reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s.
The stakes are high, with three unstable leaders facing off, and the consequences more unpredictable than ever. With the US President acting alone, ignoring advice and the Constitution, the world is rolling the nuclear dice – a gamble that could have disastrous consequences.
Source: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/iran-israel-us-nuclear-war-risks-rcna213653