Here's what's going on in the middle east...
A complex game has been afoot in the middle east for many many years. Israel and USA cleverly deploys Persians and Arabs against one another. Arabs don't see it, or rather, the house of Saud chooses not to care that they are slaves to the American-Israeli axis. Persians have figured it out. However, the senior-most ranks in Tehran play along cautiously, desperately trying to turn the tables against the colonialists in the long term. Tehran believes that it can defeat the Arabs AND acquire a nuclear insurance policy also. Why does Tehran need this insurance policy? Because as soon as the Arabs are defeated and nullified as a viable and independent force (which is very close to happening), Israel and USA will steamroll the mullahocracy. Israel is less patient than USA and is trying to achieve all its objectives at once.
All that really matters in this game is whether Iran can hold out long enough to acquire a viable nuclear deterrent. I think they can.