Iran is close to a nuke: US big

The head of US Central Command said Wednesday that Iran is “very close” to producing enough enriched uranium to create a nuclear weapon, though he added that he believes the theocracy has not made a final decision about whether to actually build a warhead.

“I think they like the idea of being able to breakout,” Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie told Time magazine of Iran’s rulers, using the term for when Tehran will enrich enough uranium to create a single nuclear weapon.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, has warned that its ability to monitor Iran’s nuclear program has been curtailed in recent months.

On Wednesday, IAEA head Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that the agency is “close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge” due to stonewalling by Iranian officials.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is attempting to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal, which eased sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the pact in 2018.

“Our president said they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” McKenzie told Time. “The diplomats are in the lead on this, but Central Command always has a variety of plans that we could execute, if directed.”

McKenzie’s words echoed comments by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Austom told an audience in Bahrain Saturday that “the United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, and we remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue.”

“But if Iran isn’t willing to engage seriously,” Austin added, “then we will look at all of the options necessary to keep the United States secure.”