The Iranians, unlike Saddam, have realized that they can do just about anything in the current environment and get away with it. They are building nuclear weapons in front of everyone, and with little consequence. Why worry about rifles? The posts on this very board from some people defending Iran's actions are typical of what I have seen in many other places.

Iran is also well aware that the U.S. is seriously hampered, politically if not militarily, in what they can do to stop any such actions. At least there is a new policy of open season on Iranians found actually in Iraq aiding the terrorists and Shiite militias. This should have been done a long time ago.