The question resonates in the geopolitical environment: if countries like North Korea, with an authoritarian regime and a history of provocations, already possess nuclear weapons, why does the prospect of Iran acquiring them generate such disproportionate alarm in the international community, especially in Israel and the West? The answer is multifaceted and goes beyond mere possession of technology; unlike other nuclear powers that, at least nominally, adhere to principles of deterrence and non-proliferation, even with their own inconsistencies, Iranian rhetoric and doctrine are viewed with deep concern. The Iranian regime has openly expressed its hostility towards Israel, even questioning its right to exist. This ideological stance, combined with potential access to nuclear weapons, creates a scenario of existential risk for Israel and destabilizes the entire region. While the North Korean bomb is more of a survival and extortion tool for its regime, the Iranian one is perceived as an instrument to transform the regional order. Iran has been repeatedly accused of concealing aspects of its nuclear program and failing to fully comply with its international obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Revelations of undeclared nuclear facilities and interruptions in IAEA inspections have eroded the international community's trust. This history of proliferation and distrust contrasts with North Korea's path, which, while a nuclear pariah, pursued the bomb as a direct challenge rather than an attempt at subterfuge under the umbrella of a civilian program. Moreover, Iran is not just a nation-state with nuclear ambitions; it is a central actor in multiple proxy conflicts in the Middle East. Through its support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias in Iraq and Syria, Iran exerts considerable and often destabilizing influence. The possession of nuclear weapons by a state with such a network of proxies could embolden these groups, increasing the risk of escalation and reckless use in a regional conflict. The fear is that a nuclear Iran could act with greater impunity in its regional policies. For Israel, the Iranian nuclear threat is existential; it is the only country in the region that has been repeatedly threatened with annihilation by prominent figures in the Iranian regime. The combination of incendiary rhetoric, an advanced nuclear program, and the capacity to launch missile attacks creates a "perfect storm" of insecurity. The possession of nuclear weapons by other powers, while concerning, simply does not carry this same historical and geopolitical burden for Israel. Finally, the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran could trigger a domino effect in an already volatile region, igniting an arms race. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or even Turkey could feel pressured to develop their own nuclear capabilities to counter Iranian power. This would exponentially increase the risk of proliferation and a chain nuclear conflict, with catastrophic consequences for the planet.