IAEA: ‘Iran On Fast Track Towards Atomic Bomb

IAEA: ‘Iran On Fast Track Towards Atomic BombStefan J. Bos The United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Wednesday that Iran is on a fast track towards an atomic bomb. Current and ex-officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has “highly enriched uranium” that could be converted to weapons-grade fuel “for at least three bombs” in “a few days to a few weeks.” The making of “a crude nuclear device” by the strict Islamic nation could reportedly follow in as little as six months. However, building a nuclear warhead deliverable by a missile would take longer, perhaps two years or more, said officials on condition of anonymity. LACK OF COOPERATION American and European Union officials in the IAEA’s Board of Governors expressed concern over Tehran’s “continued lack of cooperation” with the agency on its nuclear program. Iran, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, pledged to allow the IAEA to visit its atomic sites to ensure its program is peaceful. Tehran also agreed to additional oversight from the IAEA as part of the 2015 nuclear deal. However, a U.S. official with knowledge of internal discussions at the IAEA’s governing board conceded that the nuclear watchdog is less capable now of detecting a nuclear breakout by Iran. Such an event could bring cascading consequences, from a Middle East arms race to a direct Israel-Iran conflict. Yet such a scenario could unleash a wider regional war, warned officials.