Israeli army chief downplays Iran nuclear threat | WPN World People News

In a new twist to Iran's nuclear row, Israel's military chief says Iran has not decided yet on developing a nuclear bomb a contrasting viewpoint to what Tel Aviv and most of the Western political leaders have been maintaining so far.

"It (Iran) still hasn't decided yet whether to go the extra mile," Chief of Staff Lt Gen Benny Gantz told left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, adding Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the final authority on all national issues, had not yet made the final decision whether to build a nuclear bomb.

"In my opinion, he would be making a huge mistake if he does so, and I don't think he will want to go the extra mile," Gantz said in the interview published Wednesday.

Gantz even described the Iranian leadership as "very rational".

"I think the Iranian leadership is composed of very rational people The international regime of hard-hitting sanctions is starting to bear fruit," he said.

He however agreed that nuclear "capability in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, who at some moments may make different calculations, is a dangerous thing".

Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday seemed to be on the same page with his military chief over the issue.

Iran has "not yet decided to manufacture atomic weapons," Barak was quoted as saying by AFP.

"If the Americans, and the Europeans and we ourselves are determined, there is a chance of stopping the Iranians before they acquire the atomic bomb."

Israel and much of the Western powers suspect Iran is using its civilian nuclear programme as a cover for atomic weapons, an allegation Tehran vehemently denies.

Iran claims it wants nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The US, European Union, Canada, Japan and Australia are among those who have imposed sanctions.

Source: Middle East News.Net