ISRAEL WARNS THAT IRAN IS CAPABLE OF MAKING NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Israel warns that Iran is capable of making nuclear weapons

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 9th 2009, 1:09 AM

JERUSALEM - Iran is capable of producing atom bombs, Israel's top military intelligence officer said Sunday, sounding the highest-level warning that Israel's archenemy has achieved independent nuclear capability.

At a cabinet meeting, the chief of military intel, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, did not say Iran already has the bomb, but he did insist that Iran has "crossed the threshold" and has the expertise and materials needed for one.

The participants spoke on condition of anonymity because the cabinet meeting was closed. They said Yadlin told them that Iran continues to accumulate uranium for enrichment and hopes to exploit the Obama administration's intention to open a dialogue as a cover for developing nuclear weapons.

Yadlin's comments follow a similar assessment by the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen. He said a week ago Iran has enough fissile material to build a bomb now.

Israeli officials have long identified a nuclear Iran as the most serious threat to the Jewish state.
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel, and Iran has tested long-range missiles that could strike Israel.

Israel's long-held policy is that the world must cooperate to defuse the Iranian nuclear threat.