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Last update - 08:20 22/09/2008
Iran 'galloping toward a nuclear bomb,' military intelligence chief says
By Barak Ravid
Tags: military intelligence, Iran 

Iran is trying to enrich uranium, a critical step in developing nuclear capability, the head of Military Intelligence's research department told the cabinet on Sunday.

"Iran is developing a command of uranium-enrichment technology and is galloping toward a nuclear bomb," said Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz.

He said there is an increasing gap between between Iran's progress in developing the bomb and the global pressure to halt that process, and added that Israel's assessment that the Islamic Republic is focusing on improving uranium enrichment is consistent with the latest International Atomic Energy Agency report on the matter.
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4,000 centrifuges this year
Iran is improving the centrifugal array in its enrichment facility in the desert city of Kashan, Baidatz said, adding that since the beginning of the year, Tehran has activated 4,000 centrifuges, generating 60 grams of UF-6 gas an hour - a product used to enrich uranium to a military level. Baidatz also noted that Iran already has about 480 kilograms of low-level enriched uranium - between one-third and one-half of the amount of fissionable material needed to create a single nuclear bomb.

"We believe that the time until the point of no return is getting increasingly shorter," said Baidatz. "The international front against Iran is weak and not consolidated, and isn't putting enough pressure on the regime so that it will stop enriching the uranium."

There is an increasing gap between the Russian and Chinese positions on Iran and that of the United States and the European Union, which reduces the chance of a fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions being launched against Iran, Baidatz said. The Iranians' self-confidence is growing, he added, because they realize that the rest of the world is too weak to stop them.

Baidatz said Tehran is using diplomatic dialogue "to gain time - and in the meantime, the cracks in the West are getting ever larger."

"The sanctions have very little influence, and are far from bringing to bear a critical mass of pressure on Iran," he said.

Baidatz also discussed the Gaza Strip, noting that the current lull could be destabilized by small Palestinian groups attempting to either smuggle terrorists into Israel via Sinai, or to abduct Israelis from Sinai and bring them to Gaza.

"We had solid intelligence as a result of which we released travel advisories," said Baidatz.

He added that Hamas was not rushing into a deal for the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit: "There is obstinacy in Hamas regarding the Shalit matter, and they see him as an asset whose value just rises."

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      1.   Here we go again 03:07  |  Mark B. 22/09/08
      2.   How does he know? 03:12  |  Sam 22/09/08
      3.   so? 03:15  |  potobac 22/09/08
      4.   With Livni and Barak, Israel Will Do Nothing 04:00  |  Tod Zuckerman 22/09/08
      5.   At last!! 04:10  |  Gordon 22/09/08
      6.   Take It Out before It`s Too Late! 04:14  |  Bill Foonman 22/09/08
      7.   again propaganda 04:15  |  Fahim 22/09/08
      8.   To Israel 04:22  |  PersianBlood 22/09/08
      9.   Not a problem - The sooner Iran gets nukes, 04:27  |  spyguy 22/09/08
      10.   Nobody cares 04:28  |  William 22/09/08
      11.   PR jungle is saturated with idiotic statements. 04:45  |  Fortuna Benmayor 22/09/08
      12.   Man, that`s funny!!! 04:57  |  Johnboy 22/09/08
      13.   Management of Iranian Nuclear Fuel Cycle 04:57  |  Saint Michael Travel 22/09/08
      14.   Iran a step away from getting knocked out 05:17  |  Uncle Oli 22/09/08
      15.   They told the same thing 4 years ago 05:19  |  kia 22/09/08
      16.   The Zio-neocons need to open up new markets. 05:25  |  Maureen Ann 22/09/08
      17.   All talk no Action 06:10  |  John 22/09/08
      18.   Israel knows the value of weak international resistance 06:16  |  Natallie Durson 22/09/08
      19.   irans nuclear bomb 06:32  |  jack 22/09/08
      20.   Hitler -1930 = Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - 2008 07:22  |  Jean Van Daem 22/09/08
      21.   While all this goes on........ 08:17  |  Dolly 22/09/08
      22.   Tehran or Tel Aviv 09:05  |  Clint 22/09/08
      23.   #12, JB, nothing funny 09:15  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/09/08
      24.   #9, spookguy 09:18  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/09/08
      25.   Do the dimwits of the Israeli cabinet know nothing? 09:28  |  Clickfool 22/09/08
      26.   Nobody much cares what Israel says about this. 09:30  |  Michael 22/09/08
      27.   Israel should be galloping to accept PEACE - Saudi Plan! 09:48  |  Ivar 22/09/08
      28.   #20 Of course it is funny, Cipora. 09:54  |  Johnboy 22/09/08
      29.   #25 Do what you preach 10:40  |  CM 22/09/08
      30.   Israel also knows the value of identifying bigotry 10:41  |  Israeli citizen 22/09/08
      31.   While world is weak, distract by making funny business ... 10:55  |  Daniel 22/09/08
      32.   #21, JB, very funny indeed 11:05  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/09/08
      33.   SPYGUY Iran working on missiles with ranges way beyond Israel 11:10  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      34.   SPYGUY Iran working on missiles with ranges way beyond Israel 11:10  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      35.   #25 does the dimwit boris the clucking fool 11:31  |  v.hardman 22/09/08
      36.   TO PERSIAN BLOOD.EU& the US do NOT want Iran with nukes 11:34  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      37.   I really don`t know what Israel is worried about 11:46  |  Chris Linthwaite 22/09/08
      38.   "Galloping" is only the horse in my neighbours barn.... 11:51  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/09/08
      39.   CFOOLOutdated Here is what IAEA&US say NOW as per Telegraph.co.UK 11:51  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      40.   "We believe that it is HIGH time 4 Israel to SIGN the NPT 11:56  |  IAEA & The World 22/09/08
      41.   No Cipora wrong again #23 11:59  |  Roo 22/09/08
      42.   "W" Bush used "Saddam`s WMD" as an excecuse to attack Iraq 12:08  |  Baidatz` TAKE II 22/09/08
      43.   theiving zionazi have good reason to fear 12:23  |  uh huh 22/09/08
      44.   NONE OF YOU KNEW THAT.. 12:38  |  mike 22/09/08
      45.   AS THE WORLD SLEEPS 12:48  |  Harvey 22/09/08
      46.   potoboc and nuclear blackmail 12:50  |  judah 22/09/08
      47.   potoboc i suggest you americans stop the killings 12:54  |  judah 22/09/08
      48.   Iran `Galloping` 12:57  |  The Teacher/Instruct 22/09/08
      49.   roo is hysterical.johnboy is his reference 12:58  |  kange 22/09/08
      50.   johnboy discussions of what iran does or does not possess 13:02  |  judah 22/09/08
      51.   Clickfool clearly knows better than MI... 13:04  |  The Judge 22/09/08
      52.   I was already wondering ... 13:11  |  Axel 22/09/08
      53.   PETER SM - I have zero worries about Iran 13:12  |  spyguy 22/09/08
      54.   #24 CJK - I am pro peace 13:24  |  spyguy 22/09/08
      55.   The Big IF 13:30  |  Jim 22/09/08
      56.   Takes you back, doesn`t it, Peter SM ?# 39 13:31  |  Clickfool 22/09/08
      57.   Israel slapped the Russians in the face... 13:36  |  Dutch Dirk 22/09/08
      58.   #6 Bill Foonman 13:54  |  Jim 22/09/08
      59.   #12 Johnboy 14:09  |  Jim 22/09/08
      60.   #39 PETER SM-NONSENSE, backed up by Cipora. 14:19  |  Roo 22/09/08
      61.   #16 Maureen Ann 14:28  |  Jim 22/09/08
      62.   IAEA & The World why don`t you ask the other side. 14:35  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      63.   RO instead of quoting Johnbo fantasy why not read the IAEA report 14:39  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      64.   #18 Natalie Durson 14:39  |  Jim 22/09/08
      65.   MICHAEL UK.It is not just Israel saying it 14:41  |  PETER SM 22/09/08
      66.   PROPAGANDA 14:43  |  Neutered Observer 22/09/08
      67.   #21 Dolly 14:59  |  Jim 22/09/08
      68.   Let`s hope they gallop into it`s epicentre then 15:05  |  Harvey 22/09/08
      69.   Roo # 41 The Trouble Is... 15:07  |  Jeff Northridge 22/09/08
      70.   #22 Clint 15:09  |  Jim 22/09/08
      71.   axel stop wondering 15:17  |  erwin honigstein 22/09/08
      72.   65 PSM. If the west cared, it would act. 15:19  |  Michael 22/09/08
      73.   Johnboy 15:20  |  Steve 22/09/08
      74.   Free the Persians Now 15:33  |  albert paul ortiz 22/09/08
      75.   #31 Daniel 15:39  |  Jim 22/09/08
      76.   #51 The Judge 16:12  |  Jim 22/09/08
      77.   PETER SM #63-requoting discredited Telegraph article 16:25  |  Roo 22/09/08
      78.   Well of course they are - It`s MAD 16:31  |  Bitin Dawg 22/09/08
      79.   For the Judge # 51 16:38  |  Clickfool 22/09/08
      80.   Iran`s Bomb 16:39  |  Ron 22/09/08
      81.   you don`t say ( for the umpteenth time) 16:40  |  Helm of Chelm 22/09/08
      82.   Jeff Northridge-you`re right #69 16:58  |  Roo 22/09/08
      83.   large quantities of uranium has gone missing from Iran`s conversi 17:29  |  Joseph.E 22/09/08
      84.   #80 Ron 17:31  |  Jim 22/09/08
      85.   # 71 erwin 17:37  |  Axel 22/09/08
      86.   Roo # 82 17:43  |  American in NY 22/09/08
      87.   axel newspapers have recorded many israeli victories 17:54  |  erwin honigstein 22/09/08
      88.   Baidatz should stop "galloping" to conclusions 18:00  |  Mike 22/09/08
      89.   Bitin Dawg # 78 MAD 18:02  |  Jeff Northridge 22/09/08
      90.   Jim 75: the question is first by Iran, not Israel 18:11  |  Daniel 22/09/08
      91.   # 85 erwin 18:23  |  Axel 22/09/08
      92.   Galloping Fiddlers. 18:43  |  Stephen. 22/09/08
      93.   Jeff Northridge #87 19:13  |  Roo 22/09/08
      94.   Jim 75: the question is first by Iran 19:59  |  Daniel 22/09/08
      95.   Inevitable? What To do? 20:22  |  Baruch Gold 22/09/08
      96.   # 57 Dutch Dirk 20:31  |  The Teacher/Instruct 22/09/08
      97.   People Think A Nuclear Iran Is The Same As A Nuclear Switzerland 20:56  |  Joseph.E 22/09/08
      98.   # 94 daniel 21:04  |  Axel 22/09/08
      99.   41 days? 21:15  |  common sense 22/09/08
      100.   If it wasn`t Iran? 21:15  |  Paul 22/09/08
      101.   Iran will soon fall off of their high horse 21:21  |  Murray of Montreal 22/09/08
      102.   People Think A Arab-Switzerland Could Be Born In Judea-Samaria 21:24  |  Joseph.E 22/09/08
      103.   #59 clickfool clutches to hope that Iran will teach Israel lesson 21:29  |  Jed 22/09/08
      104.   axel the dictator is your history 22:04  |  erwin honigstein 22/09/08
      105.   dear ahmadinedjad 22:05  |  me 22/09/08
      106.   Baruch Gold # 95 The Nuclear Genie Is Free At Last! 22:10  |  Jeff Northridge 22/09/08
      107.   at this point the West is really weak & powerless - 22:25  |  ivo 22/09/08
      108.   American in NY #86 23:15  |  Roo 22/09/08
      109.   Just noticed! 23:24  |  Paul 22/09/08
      110.   It will be the serious error not to finish "Iran" 23:56  |  17 22/09/08
      111.   #50 So very sorry, judah 02:20  |  Johnboy 23/09/08
      112.   Meanwhile.... 02:38  |  Maria 23/09/08
      113.   Sam 02:49  |  docD 23/09/08
      114.   Sam re: DocD # 113 why Israel has the best intelligence service 03:23  |  American in NY 23/09/08
      115.   Erwin # 104 03:29  |  American in NY 23/09/08
      116.   arab in ny 03:45  |  erwin honigstein 23/09/08
      117.   Iran galloping toward their nuke and all Israeli greedy,self 04:28  |  glenna 23/09/08
      118.   American in NY 04:46  |  docD 23/09/08
      119.   Bad news for bad boy 06:22  |  Shimon Cleopas 23/09/08
      120.   re#2 , Sam 06:26  |  JTA 23/09/08
      121.   #54, spookguy 07:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/09/08
      122.   AM in NY"Rosen,Weissman,AIPAC"When were they convicted of spying? 07:06  |  PETER SM 23/09/08
      123.   #6 Bill Foonman - You seem to have misspelled your name! 07:11  |  PADDY 23/09/08
      124.   #111, JB, you are hillarious 07:13  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/09/08
      125.   #50 judah 08:38  |  Jim 23/09/08
      126.   #117 glenna 08:51  |  Jim 23/09/08
      127.   #120 JTA 09:06  |  Jim 23/09/08
      128.   #124 And you, Cipora, are a hoot. 09:18  |  Johnboy 23/09/08
      129.   #32 Cipora gives me another chuckle.. 09:30  |  Johnboy 23/09/08
      130.   #129 Johnboy 10:06  |  The teacher/Instruct 23/09/08
      131.   Natallie Durson, Well Said ! 10:13  |  Dutch 23/09/08
      132.   Axel 98, the difference makes it even worse ... 10:16  |  Daniel 23/09/08
      133.   17 in NY - what the hell is "Iran"? 10:45  |  PADDY 23/09/08
      134.   #130 Good On You, Teacher, for sticking up for CJK. 11:34  |  Johnboy 23/09/08
      135.   Johnboy -don`t underestimate Cipora 14:48  |  Roo 23/09/08
      136.   Roo # 108 15:49  |  American in NY 23/09/08
      137.   American in NY 16:57  |  Roo 23/09/08
      138.   American in NY 19:23  |  Roo 23/09/08
      139.   To Daniel #94 05:43  |  Persian Kitty 24/09/08
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