Iranian policymakers have articulated the above point, citing India and Pakistan.
U.S. IR guy Kenneth Waltz argues that "more may be better" in that gradual increase in the number of states with nuclear capability will makes it less likely that potential enemies will act. In contrast, fellow U.S. IR guy Scott Sagan argues against "nuclear deterrence" through either accidental or deliberate deployment that he calls "deterrence failure."
In any event, development of nuclear capability and Iranian national identity are now integrated. According to Iranian political scientist Sadeq Zibakalam, international - principally U.S. - pressure actually closes off any option of shutting down the program irrespective of either perceived or real benefits. Michael Hoover