Former Israeli intel head says Iran must not get bomb

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Israel must make sure any agreement on Iran's nuclear program will ensure Tehran cannot swiftly produce a nuclear weapon, a former intelligence chief said.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, currently visiting the United States, faces a tough mission and will need to determine what is considered "a good agreement that can credibly neutralize the danger of an Iranian bomb," retired Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin said on the website of the Institute for National Security Studies Sunday.

Israel pressed long and hard for sanctions against the Islamic Republic, which have proved effective, he said. However, Israel should not block a possible agreement ending the Iran's nuclear program, he stated.

Yadlin recommended Israel adopt a positive attitude toward reaching a diplomatic solution.

Iran may reject Israel's demands to suspend uranium enrichment activities but an agreement even if it has certain risks represents a "significantly smaller threat than the dangers inherent in the status quo," Yadlin said.

The United States and Israel must focus on parameters that widen the distance between Iran and the bomb should the Islamic Republic unilaterally abrogate any agreement and resume covert operations.

In the event an agreement with Iran is secured, it is incumbent on Israel to make sure the Iranians are years, rather than months, away from a nuclear bomb. Israel must agree with the West on a response to a future Iranian violation.

It would be unacceptable, Yadlin said, to freeze Iran's nuclear program at its current level. Iran has more than 10,000 active old centrifuges and thousands of more modern centrifuges with a higher output, and enriched material sufficient to produce seven to nine bombs.

Confidence building measures should be avoided in any agreement, he said.

"The only reason for the Iranians more conciliatory posture is the heavy weight of the sanctions," he said.