Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 09, 2009 Adar 13, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:01 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

MI chief: Iran 'buying time' while building nuclear bomb By Barak Ravid Iran has crossed a major technological threshold in its nuclear program, according to Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, head of the Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence. Speaking at the cabinet meeting yesterday, Yadlin noted that, "Iran's ability to reach a military nuclear capability is a matter of adjusting its strategy vis-a-vis the goal of developing a nuclear bomb." Advertisement The top IDF intelligence officer said Iran "has stockpiled hundreds of kilograms of uranium at low levels of enrichment, and is hoping to take advantage of the dialogue with the West to buy the time necessary to enable it to develop a nuclear bomb." Yadlin explained that the new approach of the Obama administration, which calls for dialogue with Iran, is being cautiously received in the Middle East. "Moderate Arab states believe that this [the dialogue] will be used by Iran and Syria, who will waste time under the guise of talk, while continuing their support for terrorism," Yadlin said. "The extremist axis hopes that the U.S. will indeed alter its stance, but also suspects that this is only the preamble to creating a more effective coalition against them." A week ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report concluding that Iran had managed to enrich sufficient uranium to produce a single nuclear bomb. Subsequently, this was acknowledged by the head of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, Yadlin said that Hamas does not itself launch rockets against Israel because it has been deterred from doing so. "The ones who are firing are the other groups," Yadlin noted. "Hamas prefers to reach an agreement on a lull that will open the crossings and allow reconstruction." The head of MI also said that Hamas is trying to enforce a cease-fire through arrests and confiscation of arms, but the Islamist organization is not going out of its way to halt rocket fire completely because it believes that a low level of tension serves its goal of reaching an agreement quickly. Yadlin also commented on efforts to establish a Palestinian unity government and noted that, "the shared interest of Fatah and Hamas may result in a government of technocrats, who will focus on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and prepare for elections, but this will not be a government that will achieve common political goals and it will not be able to bridge the ideological chasm between the two organizations." With regard to the situation along the border with Lebanon, Yadlin said Hezbollah is still contained and deterred by Israel. "The economic crisis is also affecting Hezbollah and Syria, who are finding it difficult to fund elections campaigns in Lebanon [scheduled in June], as well as the procurement of some of their military equipment." Also yesterday, Iran test-fired a new air-to-surface missile, according to a report in the Iranian media. The test was carried out despite the desire of the administration of new U.S. President Barack Obama to engage Iran in direct talks if it "unclenches its fist." Iran's Fars News Agency said the domestically produced missile had a range of 110 km. (70 miles) and was designed for use by military aircraft against naval targets. "Now these jet fighters have acquired a new capability in confronting threats," the semi-official news agency said. Iran's Press TV initially said a long-range missile had been tested, but later also used Fars' description of it. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Surprise victory Israel defeats Sweden 3-2 to advance to Davis Cup tennis quarterfinals. Nuclear threshold MI chief: Iran has crossed 'technological threshold' in quest for nukes

Read & React U.S. turns up heat on Israel over West Bank settlements Responses: 222 Rahat man videotapes children burning dogs alive Responses: 68 Gideon Levy: Devoid of hope or promise, Israel's leadership offer only fear Responses: 44 U.S. Army document describes Israel as 'a nuclear power' Responses: 71 More Headlines 22:36 Katsav`s accuser: I am not afraid of a trial 18:25 ANALYSIS / Credibility of alleged rape victims led to indictment 19:21 MI chief: Iran has crossed 'technological threshold' in quest for nukes 19:03 Turkish FM: Turkey trying to ease U.S.-Iran tension 21:43 Israel defeats Sweden 3-2 to advance to Davis Cup tennis quarterfinals 22:26 Shalom urges Likud unity, plays down rift with Netanyahu 15:47 Olmert to Barak: You're negating achievements of Gaza op 18:39 Danger of drought averted following heavy winter rainfall 10:48 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 15:57 Pope officially announces Holy Land visit in May 16:24 T.A. police smash international human trafficking ring 20:08 British MP Galloway's activists clash with Egyptian security at Gaza border 14:54 Abbas says determined to form power-sharing government with Hamas 11:29 Shalit's father: We will protest until Gilad is free 16:24 Carla Bruni-Sarkozy gives boost to Hadassah AIDS fundraising 13:32 Rahat man videotapes children burning dogs alive 13:36 Why do married women earn less money than married men? Previous Editions Select Day 08 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 01 mar 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 23 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved