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Nuclear Iran in two years?
06/11/2007 20:04 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Iran could have nuclear arms in two years if its nuclear ambitions aren't curbed, a senior Israeli intelligence official estimated on Tuesday.
Major General Yossi Baidatz, head of research for military intelligence, warned parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that Iran was getting steadily closer to developing a weapon.
"If nothing stops Iran, the worst-case scenario is that by the end of 2009, Iran will have a nuclear weapon," a participant in the closed session quoted Baiditz as saying.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, but its assertions are widely disbelieved. The program has especially rattled Israel because Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for the Jewish state's destruction.
Israel has mounted a diplomatic offensive to try to build international support for tougher UN sanctions meant to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme.
Israeli officials met with all permanent members of the UN Security Council last month to push for new sanctions. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a snap trip to Moscow followed by a trip to London and Paris.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni made the case with officials in China. Russia and China are at the forefront of resistance in the security council to slapping new sanctions on Iran.
- SAPA
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