"- If you are a signatory of the Nuclear NPT you are not allowed to pursue the development and aquisition of nuclear weapons."

Correct. However, no one has proven that Iran IS pursuing the development and acquisition of nuclear weapons, and Iran, unlike North Korea, has stated over and over again that they are not doing so. So, what if the USA is lying when they say that they believe Iran is pursuing the development and acquisition of nuclear weapons? Or what if the USA is mistaken when they say that?

All people ARE allowed to retaliate to attack, Teribus, but in a reasonably proportionate manner. Israel's invasions of Lebanon were both totally out of proportion to anything that paramilitary forces in Lebanon had done to Israel. It would have been a proportionate response on Israel's part to counterfire rocket launchings with return fire from artillery and to make surgical airstrikes on the rocket launching positions. It was completely disproportionate, however, to launch a fullscale invasion of southern Lebanon.

I do not hold a particularly high estimation of Iranian credibility, Teribus, but neither do I hold a high estimation of American or Israeli credibility. They all are capable of lying and misleading in order to achieve desired objectives. I don't feel that any of them have a right to launch pre-emptive attacks on any other country, nor to answer a minor provocation with a fullscale war. If they do so, they're doing it not for legitimate defence, but for their own gain.

I think it's entirely possible that Iran is secretly building or preparing to build nukes. It wouldn't surprise me. If they were, however, I would not regard it as a legitimate reason for attacking them. No one has the moral or legal right to attack first. You must realize, Teribus, that were the USA or Israel in Iran's position vis-a-vis more powerful enemies already armed with a great many nuclear weapons and they with no nukes of their own, they would most certainly move heaven and earth to build nukes, they would do it secretly and illegally if they had to, and they would do it without delay.

The fact is, the Israelis already did that. A long time ago. The problem with America and Israel in regards to the rest of the world is this: they always seem to think that it's okay for them to do things that no one else (except maybe the UK) is allowed to do. Well, they must be very, very special people, eh? You have to be extra-special to be granted legal and moral exemptions that no one else gets.

Is it any surprise that the rest of the world doesn't buy it, and sees a double standard in effect?