Israel assured by US on Iran threat not being imminent

Washington, Aug.20 (ANI): Obama administration officials have reportedly persuaded Israel that it would take roughly a year, or perhaps longer, for Iran to complete a nuclear weapon, and that Tel Aviv need not be concerned or worried on this score.

Israeli intelligence officials have in the past argued that Iran could complete the race for a nuclear bomb sooner than later, but their American counterparts believe the timeline is longer, the New York Times reports.

"We think that they have roughly a year dash time. A year is a very long period of time," said Gary Samore, President Obama's top adviser on nuclear issues.

American officials said the United States believed international inspectors would detect an Iranian move toward breakout within weeks, leaving a considerable amount of time for the United States and Israel to consider military strikes.

The American assessments are based on intelligence collected over the past year, as well as reports from international inspectors.

They also said new intelligence information was being fed into a long-delayed National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear program.

Now, American and Israeli officials believe breakout is unlikely anytime soon. (ANI)