Nuclear War?

[Grenartia]

-snip-

Holy fucking textwalls, Batman!

Seriously, have you never heard of summarizing? I don't want to read through your over-sized textmountain.

You people seem to forget that individuals who may not share exactly the official position of their nation are in fact in control of vast swathes of a nation's arsenal. Subs and individual silo commanders, for one, can dupe, coerce or otherwise convince their men to launch their weapons without official authorisation.

I believe (and really want to believe) that it's not that easy to launch a nuclear strike.

Until a few years ago, as I recall, British submarine nukes were secured with little more than common bicycle locks. And, IIRC, the commanders didn't need approval from higher up in order to actually launch them.

[Samozaryadnyastan]

As I said, authorisation to launch lies solely with the Captain, and the agreem of at least one other officer aboard - though the entire officer's staff is to be consulted.

[Frisbeeteria]

It depends on whether Iran makes good on it's claim to wipe Israel off the face of the planet.

Quick inventory:

Iran most likely has nukes, and they are our and Israel's sworn enemy. We have nukes and Israel has nukes, albiet with a star of David painted over the American flag on the missile. If Iran launches a nuclear strike against Israel, than Israel has all rights for fire back, therefore starting the war.

The international outcry would be the usual: Blame America. So Russia would rush to arms and maybe fire and attack on the US. WE would have to fire back, and North Korea would take the opportunity to take out Seoul and America given their missile could reach us.

So yes, it is possible. But this is a worst-case scenario.

Iran doesn't currently have nukes, and they're not the sworn enemy of America. Furthermore, Russia wouldn't launch on us. They realize that it's suicide, that's why nobody launched during the Cold War. For the same reason, North Korea wouldn't fire on us or Seoul.

Which it why I said, "This is a worst-case scenario" XD

[Soviet Russia Republic]

Why would Israel launch a nuke at Iran and why would Russia give a shit about Iran?

If you haven't heard Russia is supplying Iran with guns!?
S 400 anti aircraft system?That didn't get sold at the end and they just gave them blueprints?

Where did you hear that? Russia doesn't even really like Iran, Iran certainly isn't getting blueprints to the S-400 system. Traditional allies don't even have exported versions of the S-400.

To answer the OP, I'd say no to nuclear way for the near future.

[Indira]

Unlikely. MAD is arguably the best deterrent, especially given that nukes tend to be regarded as a worst case scenario usage