DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - THE WEST/IRAN: 3 YRS UNTIL IRANIAN NUKE...THEIR FIRST TARGET?!? NEW YORK CITY

Iran May Be Closer To Nukes Than Thought
U.S. Intelligence Moves Up Worst-Case Scenario Date To 2010, But Says Iran Will Likely Take Longer

CBS News has learned that a new intelligence report says Iran has overcome technical difficulties in enriching uranium and could have enough bomb-grade material for a single nuclear weapon in less than three years.

U.S. intelligence officials caution that before Iran could meet or beat that 2010 date, it would have to make further technical progress in operating a uranium enrichment plant now under construction, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

As a result, there is no change in the official estimate that it will take Iran until 2015 to become a nuclear power. But David Albright, a leading expert, thinks that doesn't give Iranian scientists enough credit.

"I think Iran can get enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon sooner than that," Albright says. "I think the 2015 number reflects too much skepticism about Iran's technical capabilities, and they are making progress."

Although U.S. intelligence still considers an Iranian nuclear weapon by 2010 as a worst-case scenario, Pentagon officials say the new report narrows the window in which Israel might launch a preemptive strike against Iran, as it did in 1981 against an Iraqi nuclear reactor.

Israel is the country most threatened by the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Former CIA officer Bruce Riedel says this latest intelligence would increase the chances of an Israeli strike launched with American-built warplanes.

"The Israelis have long believed that Iran is closer than U.S. intelligence believes it is," Riedel says. "If they now hear that the Americans think it's getting closer as well, it puts pressure on Israel to take its own action."

Riedel adds that an Israeli strike would be seen in Iran as no different from an American strike and could involve the U.S. in a war against a much tougher opponent than Iraq.

...

and

US Says Iran Could Produce Nuke Bomb In Three Years

(RTTNews) - Iran is believed to have overcome "technical difficulties" in its uranium enrichment process and could have enough bomb-grade material to produce a single nuclear weapon within three years, before the previously estimated 2015, American sources said on Friday morning.

"I think Iran can get enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon sooner than that," leading expert David Albright told CBS. "I think the 2015 number reflects too much skepticism about Iran's technical capabilities, and they are making progress."


The mullahs will not attack Israel, regardless of their bloviations about Israel being wiped off the face of the earth...

They want to remain alive, well and heads of the new islamic caliphate they are working hard to establish...

If they attack Israel with a nuclear weapon, Israel will unleash its entire arsenal (assumed only, because Israel has not confirmed having one) and take out as much of the ummah (not only Iran) as they possibly can...


Pertinent Links:

1) Iran May Be Closer To Nukes Than Thought

2) US Says Iran Could Produce Nuke Bomb In Three Years