BICOM

The former director of Israel’s Military Intelligence, Amos Yadlin said yesterday that within several months Iran is likely to cross the nuclear “red line” set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech at the United Nations in September.

Speaking yesterday at a security conference in Tel Aviv, Yadlin said that the Iranian presidential elections in June would be a crucial moment in determining whether Tehran will convert its enriched uranium into nuclear material. He said, “We have about two months to sleep soundly, until the elections… After that, I believe the Iranians will have to make a difficult decision.”

In September, Netanyahu told the United Nations that his “red line,” which could precipitate military action will be crossed if Iran attains possession of 250 kg of uranium enriched to the 20 percent level, which is just a small step from being weapons compliant. A report released in February by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran had developed 167kg of such material. Its’ next report is expected next month. Yadlin said that in addition to almost sufficient 20 percent level enriched uranium to produce one atomic bomb, Iran also has enough low-level uranium, which can be quickly upgraded, to compile the equivalent of six atomic bombs. He concluded that “If the US, Iran and Israel all stand behind their announcements, then we are on a collision course toward the end of the year.”

Yadlin’s comments come against the backdrop of an impasse in talks between Iran and the so-called P5+1 forum of international powers, tasked with finding a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear development. Last week, Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Chief of Staff Benny Gantz both said that Israel is capable of carrying out a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities alone.