Think Tank: Iran 2-4 Months Away from Nuke Warhead
Posted at: 10/08/2012 1:04 PM
VIENNA (AP) - A respected U.S. think tank says Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to arm a nuclear bomb in two to four months.
But the Institute for Science and International Security says Iran would still face serious "engineering challenges" in making the other components needed for a functioning warhead.
And it says any attempt to "break out" into weapons-grade uranium enrichment would be quickly detected by the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Tehran's known enrichment sites. It says Iran is unlikely to take such a risk "during the next year or so."
The think tank often advises Congress and other branches of U.S. government on Iran's nuclear program. It made its report available to The Associated Press ahead of publication today.
Iran denies any interest in possessing nuclear arms and insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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