How similar are the cases against Iran and Iraq?

(updated below - Update II)

Scott Shane has an article in today's New York Times examining whether the government and media's behavior now with regard to Iran is similar to what happened in 2002 and 2003 concerning Iraq.  I'm quoted in the article in several places, including saying that the "similarities are substantial and disturbing."  I want to focus on one point raised by this topic.

Although I think there are ample similarities, I don't think the situations are identical...