[Brandybux]

...why would he say this, if he had a bomb?

That's easy: to do with a nuclear weapon (or weapons) what Iran has always wanted to do -- intimidate its adversaries.

And, if Iran does NOT have a bomb (or bombs) at this time? Well, their race to create nuclear weapons is obvious to everyone for some time. To claim success before they have actually achieved success would be a useful strategy in order to extend the time they need to succeed.

If you're Israel or the US, do you want to gamble that Iran does NOT have nuclear weapons and so strike at it, thinking you're going to delay them from success? If Israel and/or the US strike at Iran "pre-emptively" and Iran retaliates against Israel and/or our fleet with nuclear devices, they've got the moral high ground. "We were attacked first!"

[Eleutheria5]

What about the doctrine of proportionate response? You know, the one that kept being bandied about during Cast Lead? (not serious, of course)

[crosshairs]

And, if Iran does NOT have a bomb (or bombs) at this time? Well, their race to create nuclear weapons is obvious to everyone for some time. To claim success before they have actually achieved success would be a useful strategy in order to extend the time they need to succeed.

Yep. Those sandworms are sneaky and all talk. They indeed are just buying more time from the gullible and the cowardly countries.