We would retaliate with tactical nukes only, and on a limited basis to avoid spread of fallout to China or South Korea. Hardly vaporization. Plus, the only way to truly eliminate the nuclear threat would be to bomb their nuclear facilities, then invade to ensure that high-level officials are taken out. Which would require an Iraq-style government rebuilding, de-brainwashing camps, etc, etc. Painful at the very least.
Never was an axis of evil to begin with, my friend.
Stable? Yes. Democratic? Eh. The people vote, but the Council of Guardians (half of which is unelected), and the Supreme Leader (again, unelected) control exactly who runs where, and if they don't like the guy who won, guess what? voter fraud!
Not exactly a true democracy. BTW, hypocrisy by who, exactly?