US: Iran could be two weeks away from nuclear bomb

Iran has increasingly discussed developing a nuclear bomb and has taken steps in the process of developing key aspects of weapons capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

This process in Iran has continued especially since April, when Israel and its allies increased pressure on Iran after an Iranian attack, two senior US administration officials said at a security forum in Aspen, Colorado, over the weekend.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. is closely monitoring any signs that Iran is deciding to move toward weapons-grade development as part of its nuclear program. Sullivan clarified: “I have not seen a decision by Iran to move forward in a way that would signal a decision to develop a nuclear bomb now. If they move in that direction, they are going to have a serious problem with the United States.”

According to the Economic Times, Iran’s “poor” performance on the night of April 13 has convinced observers of the need to monitor signs that Iran is showing greater interest in the arms issue.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the same forum in Aspen: “Over the past few weeks and months, we’ve seen Iran make progress in developing fissile material that’s used to make a bomb.”

Blinken criticized the Trump administration’s decision to leave the nuclear deal, adding: “Instead of being at least a year away from having a breakout capability to produce fissile material, (Iran) is now probably a week or two away from doing so. So we’re not in a good position. They still haven’t produced a weapon, but when you combine all of these things, fissile material and a detonation mechanism, you have a nuclear bomb.”

Blinken added that the US is watching “very, very closely” for any signs that Iran is working on the weapons issue, and that the US is also engaging diplomatically on the issue.