Panic mode? Iran could have ‘access’ to nuclear weapon in 1-2 years, French FM warns

10 Jan, 2020 07:51 / Updated 51 minutes ago

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FILE PHOTO The IR-8 centrifuges at Natanz nuclear power plant in Iran. © Atomic Energy Organization of Iran / AFP 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has claimed that if Iran continues to roll back the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), it may get a nuclear bomb in a very short period of time.

If the Islamic Republic continues “with unraveling” the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on its nuclear program, Tehran could obtain a nuclear weapon in the nearest future, Le Drian told RTL radio on Friday.

Within a fairly short period of time, between one and two years, they could have access to a nuclear weapon, which is not an option.

EU foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss ways of reducing the US-Iran tensions.

ALSO ON RT.COMIran ‘not interested’ in having nukes, will stick to JCPOA once given benefits in return – UN envoy

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, reassured the public that this is not the case – even though the JCPOA is now in jeopardy.

There is “no place for nuclear weapons in Iran’s defensive doctrine,” he told PBS Newshour, adding that his country is also abiding by the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty – a pact that strives for nuclear disarmament and provides for the setting of standards in arms control.