DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran would have developed a nuclear weapon and used it on Israel were it not for the two recent wars. There is no public evidence for that ***** sment, which runs counter to those of the U.N. nuclear watchdog and U.S. intelligence agencies.
For decades, Netanyahu has made dire predictions about Iran's disputed nuclear program, most famously at the United Nations with visual aids. The rhetoric has escalated since the U.S. and Iran reached an interim peace deal this month, and as Netanyahu faces elections later this year.
Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, even as it has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels far higher than those required for civilian use. The United States and others say Iran's nuclear program had a military component until 2003.
Even before the two wars set back its nuclear program, Iran was months or years away from developing a usable atomic weapon, and there's no evidence it had chosen to pursue one. Israel is widely believed to have its own nuclear weapons.
Here's a closer look.
For decades, Netanyahu has made dire predictions about Iran's disputed nuclear program, most famously at the United Nations with visual aids. The rhetoric has escalated since the U.S. and Iran reached an interim peace deal this month, and as Netanyahu faces elections later this year.
Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, even as it has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels far higher than those required for civilian use. The United States and others say Iran's nuclear program had a military component until 2003.
Even before the two wars set back its nuclear program, Iran was months or years away from developing a usable atomic weapon, and there's no evidence it had chosen to pursue one. Israel is widely believed to have its own nuclear weapons.
Here's a closer look.
4 months ago
