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The current growing danger of the outbreak of "unwanted" full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah must be putting immense pressure on Iranian decision makers with regard to turning the final screws towards assembly of nuclear weapons. The Hezbollah deterrent toward Israel that may have stayed the latter's hand from attacking Iran's nuclear facilities works as long as full-scale warfare does not break out between the two. Once that appears imminent the Iranians may enter a "use it or lose it" frame of mind and could feel that they need to race toward production of nuclear weapons before Israel attempts a preemptive strike, which in Tehran's view might be supported by the US. The outbreak of total war between Israel and Hezbollah, apart from the utter devastation it will bring to both sides may push Israel into openly threatening Iran with nuclear retaliation if it joins in and in parallel may tip Iran into a decision to protect itself with its own nuclear weapons.

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