Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 3 /Trend/
As Iran continues its development of a nuclear weapon, Israel is growing more concerned that the Islamic Republic will embrace a policy of ambiguity, similar to the policy upheld in Israel regarding its own alleged nuclear capabilities, a senior government official involved in defense-related issues, The Jerusalem Post reported on Monday.
"The possibility that Iran would adopt such a policy is growing," the official said. "Iran very well could continue on its current course for a while, during which it continues to enrich uranium like it is today but without going to the breakout stage and publicly making a nuclear weapon."
On Monday, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will arrive for talks with Defense Minister Ehud Barak that will focus on the Iranian nuclear challenge as well as US efforts to help Israel retain its qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
Late September, the Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani announced that Iran would run its nuclear Fordo site by next 6 months.
Earlier, in June, the Iranian nuclear chief said that Iran is going to install 164-centrifuge cascades of new generation machines soon both in Fordo and Natanz nuclear facilities and to triple the production of 20-percent enriched uranium.
In November 2009, Iran announced about its plan to build ten new enrichment facilities in its territory.
Enriched uranium is used both to produce nuclear weapons and as fuel for nuclear power plants. The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity and producing isotopes to treat medical patients.
Edited by T.Konyayeva