how to destroy Iran without bullets
GlobalResearch.CA discusses How the US will Destroy Iran's Economy, and thus, it's people.

I think this application of force is being used simply to pressure another nation which isn't fully subjugated to US corporate and elite power.

As well, Iran can challenge the US in Iraq and Middle East generally by being a regional hegemon. However, if we destroy their economy, that won't happen.

And, we'll have control of all the happy oil fields without having to fight another ground war.

Historical situations where similar force occurred:

* 1930s: the US under FDR starts an embargo of crude oil shipments to Imperial Japan, affecting Japan's economy and ability to conduct war in East Asia. (Japan struck out at the US)

Given that context, it seems likely that Iran would not want to go down without a fight. I doubt they have nuclear weapons capabilities at this point, although I wouldn't put it past the Russians to give them a few to even the odds against the US's local sherrif Israel.

Given the US doctrine of nuclear first-strike with "safe for cities" nuclear bombs, I wouldn't be surprised if Israel lobbed the first one. I really doubt that the US powers-that-be (PTB) would wnat a nuclear war in the northern hemisphere, but it wouldn't be completely surprising.