The Jerusalem Post reports that Report: Iran planning nuclear ’surprise’.

Now, while one does not want to ignore the real threat posed by Iran, I will note that this reminds we of previous posturing by Iran on this subject (and indeed, is generically reminiscent of the claims of communist regimes of yore when they wanted to either get the international community’s attention or, more likely, boost the morale of their citizens).

Indeed, we should recall that back in April the Iranians held a huge rally to announced that they had “joined the nuclear club”–yet in reality they had only made a small step forward in uranium enrichment. At the time I opined that Iran was suffering from a national inferiority complex and noted:

Most countries have less pomp and circumstance at presidential inaugurations than the Iranians had yesterday with the colorfully garbed individuals holding up cylinders meant to represent enriched uranium.

We should also recall the claim (sans evidence, I would note) made by Iran that they have developed some sort of stealth missiles.

When trying to come to a reasonable understanding of what Iran is doing, it is important to remember that this entire enterprise is about, in large measure, prestige–both in the international community and at home. To be a nuclear power is to advance to a new level of international importance that has significance well beyond any issues of actual military usage.

While I would prefer, in the extreme, that regimes such as Iran’s and North Korea’s would not acquire nuclear weapons, I would note that it would a mistake to assume that the only reason (or even the main reason) that they are trying to acquire them is to use them. It is clear that nuclear powers are treated differently in the international system than non-nuclear powers. That Iran wants to join that club is wholly understandable, even if it is also disconcerting.

If anything, this promise of a “surprise” is probably all about PR.