Cet animal est mechant: il se defend.

Voltaire's famous observation surely covers Israel's position. Of course it might be - indeed it has been - claimed that Israel is defending itself without being certain that the alternative (i.e. no defence) means that Israel is not destroyed. However, in the light of the constant stream of nonsense issued by Iran for decades now Israel cannot possibly take the chance.

Perhaps what is even more interesting is that Israel clearly believes that it might be able to effect regime change in Iran and that it would be extraordinarily remiss not to take the opportunity. Clearly, the intelligence services of Israel (Mossad and so forth) are amazingly professional in their assembly of an understanding of the position.