Israel warned on Iran nuclear capabilities

JERUSALEM, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Israel's military intelligence head says sanctions against Iran's nuclear program are not working and that Iran could have nuclear weapons in one or two years.

Maj.-Gen. Avi Kohavi told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Knesset sanctions imposed against the Iranian government have been ineffectual against the country's nuclear and military programs, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.

"The Iranian regime is maintaining stability despite the sanctions," Kohavi said. "It is maintaining its basis for its strength and the sanctions do not harm its nuclear program and the strengthening of its military.

"The sanctions have had an impact on the Iranian economy but they have had no impact on Iran's nuclear program," Kohavi said.

"Qom continues to be built and in 2011 will be filled with centrifuges," he said, referring to Iran's nuclear facility under construction.

As to when Tehran would be capable of creating nuclear weapons, Kohavi said, "The question is not when Iran will have a bomb but rather how much time until the leader decides to escalate to 90 percent (enrichment).

"Based on their infrastructure and the technical know-how and uranium they have, within a year or two after (Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) makes that decision, they will have nuclear weapons," Kohavi said.