“Because of the value that comes from the ambiguity of what the US may do to an adversary if the acts we seek to deter are carried out, it hurts to portray ourselves as too fully rational and cool-headed. The fact that some elements may appear to be potentially “out of control” can be beneficial to creating and reinforcing fears and doubts in the minds of an adversary’s decision makers. ‘This essential sense of fear is the working force of deterrence.”

So – does this apply to the mullahs, too? Is this their game – to convince us that they are loonies who might do anything if riled? They are trying not to portray themselves as “too fully rational” – that part of their plans, at least, is working.