‘Iran on brink of a nuclear bomb’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned yesterday that Iran was just six to seven months away from the brink of being able to build a nuclear bomb.
He demanded President Barack Obama set a “red line” for Tehran in what could deepen the worst US-Israeli rift in decades.
Taking to the TV airwaves to make his case directly to the American public, Netanyahu said that by mid-2013 Iran would be “90 per cent of the way” towards enough enriched uranium for a weapon.
He again urged the US to spell out limits that Tehran must not cross if it is to avoid military action – something Obama has refused to do.
“You have to place that red line before them now, before it’s too late,” Netanyahu said on NBC’s Meet the Press programme, adding that such a US move could reduce the chances of having to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.
The unusually public dispute between close allies – coupled with Obama’s decision not to meet Netanyahu later this month – has exposed a gaping US-Israeli divide and stepped up pressure on the US leader in the final stretch of a tight presidential election campaign.
It was the clearest marker Netanyahu has laid down so far on why he has become so strident in his push for Washington to confront Tehran with a strict ultimatum.
At the same time, his approach could stoke further tensions with Obama, with whom he has had a notoriously testy relationship.
US officials say Iran has yet to decide on a nuclear “breakout” – a final rush to assemble components for a bomb – and they express high confidence it is still at least a year away from the capacity to build one if it wanted to. This contrasts with Netanyahu’s timetable, although he stopped short of saying Iran had decided to manufacture a weapon.
Netanyahu showed no signs of backing off and equated the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran with the Islamist fury that fuelled attacks on US embassies across the Muslim world last week and shocked many Americans.
“It’s the same fanaticism you see storming your embassies today.
“You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?” Netanyahu asked in the NBC interview, in a clear emotional appeal to Americans still reeling from the angry protests sparked by a film that mocked the Prophet Mohammad.
There have been no accusations, however, of any Iranian role stoking violence that hit Middle Eastern and African capitals.
Speaking via satellite from Jerusalem, Netanyahu argued that a credible US ultimatum was needed to curb Iran, which denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb.
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Christopher Grech
Sep 18th 2012, 09:52
Its the usual rhetoric coming from Netanyahu.
The Israelis have some 200 nuclear bombs and Iran does not have one. Even if it does have one, would you bomb the hell out of Iran? This is what Netanyahu wants, war, war and more war.
The big international media, being Jewish controlled blasts the Iranians big time, and exceedingly biased.
Ross Stephen
Sep 17th 2012, 16:41
There are 2 sides to a story and this one is yet to pan out. We will never know the true facts about Iran. Look back 60 years and the Middle East was stabile under the guardianship of the UK, not as colony's but that of Independant States to which the British held sway but America wanting as it does to control ruined British Prestige and left a power vacuum that was never really filled by the US as planned, no western goverment hold sway in the Middke East and it's a powder keg with a lit fuse. It's diplomacy that must be used and not war. America created most of this mess supporting groups like the Taliban ETC then turned against them. We cannot carry on invading the Middle East, we must work together to find peaceful solutions as both Iran and Isreal are here to stay. No one wants war lease of all the USA, peace should prevail at all costs
Martin Cassar
Sep 17th 2012, 15:17
True Iran is not a democratic country, however we must not forget the fact that most if not all wars (including nuclear wars and war crimes) during the past centaury along with financial disasters we are facing today are results of irresponsible politics of democratic countries.
Having said that I challenge any Western politician to visit, or point a finger at the Zionists nuclear arsenal which constitute insatiability in the whole region Iran included. Perhaps, because our politicians believe that the Zionists are above law, or the Zionists nuclear arsenal should be kept off-IAEA's radar?
The whole thing about Iran is quite simple and far from any threat. At the brink-of-collapse Western powers are keen to safeguard the energy resources in the Middle East and minor Asia while at the same providing immunity to the illegal Zionists occupation in what’s called Israel. This illegal occupation by the victims of Hitler’s Holocausts is, logically, historically and geographically rejected given the fact that [the Jew State] is illegally established. Israel is synthetic state and the count down for such historical ugly accident has begun with or with-out any wars, with or without a nuclear Iran!
Does Iran have right for self defense? What I mean, in 2003-while North Korea was carrying out nuclear tests, putting USA major cities within its nuclear long-range missiles and defying the International community, the (USA) went to attack Iraq instead searching for the never existed so never found Mass Destruction Weapons. Wasn’t the message sent by the USA clear enough to read: If you don’t have a deterrent weapon you have no place on planet Earth?
In a nutshell, the whole thing about Iran’s nuclear weapons is in reality about selling military equipment and energy business and to a certain extent fulfilling a Biblical prophecy for what’s called a Jew state.
Joseph Borg
Sep 17th 2012, 14:56
The world economic is collapsing rapidly so the solution is war. Prepare for the 3rd world war. Peace and stability will come after.
J. Vella
Sep 17th 2012, 13:20
Benjamin Netanyahu wants USA to make a red line! He wants also that USA take action. If he wants to stop Iran, why he doesn't use his military instead of using other country Military!! Those Israelis use people and other countries to fight their wars!! It is their concern so then can start a war on their own no problem!
M. Hills
Sep 17th 2012, 14:42
No, they should not be allowed to start a war "on their own" as you suggest because once thay start this provocative attack on Iran, the problem of what "allies" are going to be drawn into it on what side arises as who is to support whom and we know that America and the Uk will be drawn into supporting Israel whether they like it or not because of bonds forged in semi secrecy between them in the past when Palestine was given to them and we shall all be innocent victims of such a war....There should be more dialogue and what is good for the gander is good for the goose...
Robert Callus
Sep 17th 2012, 12:07
Iran on the brink of nuclear bomb: Bad
Israel already has nuclear bomb: Worse
USA already used nuclear bomb: Worst
While I agree that the Ahmadinejad regime is made up of fanatic crazies, many members of Israel's parliament (including a strong influence from the far-rightists) aren't known for their sanity either. Same as many congress members in the US and their lobbyists, religious fanatics and end-of-the-worlders.
I really hope a war will not break out. It will be insane fanatics fighting insane fanatics.
Ramon Casha
Sep 17th 2012, 11:10
Sounds more and more that the biggest threat to peace and stability is none other than Israel and its government. These kinds of wild accusations are pretty much the same kind that Bush and the US were making about WMDs in Iraq in order to justify its invasion - after which no WMDs were found of course.
Jeff Andrews
Sep 17th 2012, 12:55
Do you really believe that Tehran is not building a nuclear weapon. I doubt it. What we have seen if countries have nuclear weapons they join the MAD club., but do these Iranian leaders worry about mutual assured destruction. These people believe they go to paradise with 70 virgins. If, as they have stated they will wipe Israel off the map and then Israel will retaliate, kiss the Mediterranean goodbye.
Joseph Brincat
Sep 17th 2012, 10:41
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned yesterday that Iran was just six to seven months away from the brink of being able to build a nuclear bomb.
Do they realty WANT PEACE ??? IF so way don't they make an agreement that ISRAELI AND IRAN WILL TAKE
ALL THE NUCLEAR AWAY !!!!
M. Hills
Sep 17th 2012, 10:29
It would be good if this Israeli Prime Minister stopped scaremongering and insisting on such provocative and devastating action to be taken by the USA on his behalf to trigger off a Third World War with immense consequences death and devastation. Why would Iran use such tactics and not expect the same in return?? Why don't these warmongers stop itching for a fight...
Please choose the reason of your report below: