Netanyahu: Iran Six Months Away from Nuclear Bomb
Local Editor
"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Sunday that "Iran was just six to seven months away from being able to build a nuclear bomb."
"By mid-2013, Iran would be 90 percent of the way toward enough enriched uranium for a bomb," Netanyahu said as he urged "the United States to spell out limits that Tehran must not cross if it is to avoid military action - something Obama has refused to do."
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" program, he addressed US President Barak Obama administration by saying: "You have to place that red line before them now, before it's too late."
In a clear political exploitation and an emotional move to Americans, Bibi asked: "It's the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today. You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?"
Netanyahu said a strong ultimatum was needed to Iran, which denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb. "They're in the ‘red zone,'" he added, using a colorful American football metaphor that describes when a team is close to scoring a touchdown.
"They're in the last 20 yards. And you can't let them cross that goal line," he said, "because that would have unbelievable consequences."
Asked whether "Israel" was closer to acting on its own despite Obama's call for more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work, Netanyahu said: "We always reserve the right to act. But I think that if we are able to coordinate together a common position, we increase the chances that neither one of us will have to act."
Possibly seeking to soften the edge with Washington, Netanyahu said he appreciated "Obama's assurances that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon."
"I think implicit in that is that, if you're determined to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, it means you'll act before they get nuclear weapons," he said.
However, the top "Israeli" official reiterated that "this was not enough."
"I think we should have a red line communicated to Iran, I think that's vital. I know people value flexibility, I think that's important, but I think that in this late stage of the game Iran needs to see clarity.
"It's important to communicate to Iran that there's a line that they won't cross," he said. "I think a red line, in this case, works to reduce the chances of the need for military action. Because once the Iranians understand that there's a line that they can't cross, they're not likely to cross it."
In his most specific comments to date on the subject, Netanyahu told CNN: "They're moving very rapidly to completing the enrichment of the uranium that they need to produce a nuclear bomb. In six months or so they'll be 90 percent of the way there."
Netanyahu also commented on the criticism leveled at him over his supposed meddling in the US presidential elections.
"I knew people are trying to draw me into the American elections, and I'm not going to do that," Netanyahu told CNN and clarified that "I will say that we value, we cherish the bipartisan support for Israel in the United States, and we're supported by Democrats and Republicans alike."
"This is not an electoral issue. It is not based on any electoral consideration.
"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Sunday that "Iran was just six to seven months away from being able to build a nuclear bomb."
"By mid-2013, Iran would be 90 percent of the way toward enough enriched uranium for a bomb," Netanyahu said as he urged "the United States to spell out limits that Tehran must not cross if it is to avoid military action - something Obama has refused to do."
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" program, he addressed US President Barak Obama administration by saying: "You have to place that red line before them now, before it's too late."
In a clear political exploitation and an emotional move to Americans, Bibi asked: "It's the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today. You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?"
Netanyahu said a strong ultimatum was needed to Iran, which denies it is seeking a nuclear bomb. "They're in the ‘red zone,'" he added, using a colorful American football metaphor that describes when a team is close to scoring a touchdown.
"They're in the last 20 yards. And you can't let them cross that goal line," he said, "because that would have unbelievable consequences."
Asked whether "Israel" was closer to acting on its own despite Obama's call for more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work, Netanyahu said: "We always reserve the right to act. But I think that if we are able to coordinate together a common position, we increase the chances that neither one of us will have to act."
Possibly seeking to soften the edge with Washington, Netanyahu said he appreciated "Obama's assurances that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon."
"I think implicit in that is that, if you're determined to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, it means you'll act before they get nuclear weapons," he said.
However, the top "Israeli" official reiterated that "this was not enough."
"I think we should have a red line communicated to Iran, I think that's vital. I know people value flexibility, I think that's important, but I think that in this late stage of the game Iran needs to see clarity.
"It's important to communicate to Iran that there's a line that they won't cross," he said. "I think a red line, in this case, works to reduce the chances of the need for military action. Because once the Iranians understand that there's a line that they can't cross, they're not likely to cross it."
In his most specific comments to date on the subject, Netanyahu told CNN: "They're moving very rapidly to completing the enrichment of the uranium that they need to produce a nuclear bomb. In six months or so they'll be 90 percent of the way there."
Netanyahu also commented on the criticism leveled at him over his supposed meddling in the US presidential elections.
"I knew people are trying to draw me into the American elections, and I'm not going to do that," Netanyahu told CNN and clarified that "I will say that we value, we cherish the bipartisan support for Israel in the United States, and we're supported by Democrats and Republicans alike."
"This is not an electoral issue. It is not based on any electoral consideration.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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