U.S.: Iran at least a year from nuke bomb

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Iran is at least a year away from developing a working nuclear weapon, U.S. officials say.

They also believe U.N. inspectors would see indications that Iran is approaching the point of having enough enriched uranium for a bomb, The New York Times reported Friday. That would give the United States or Israel several weeks for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Officials refer to the preparation of weapons-grade enriched uranium as "breakout" and the period for development of a bomb as "dash time."

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

Israeli leaders have suggested they might launch a pre-emptive strike but the administration believes the recent assessment of Iranian capabilities has deterred them, the newspaper said.

The Iranian government says its nuclear program is a peaceful one aimed only at energy production. Gearing up for weapons production would require the country to force out international inspectors and declare its intentions openly, the Times said.