Gates: Iran not close to having nuclear weapon

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2009 09:32

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran is NOT close to having a nuclear weapon. He says the United States and others still have time to try to persuade Tehran to abandon its suspected atomic arms program.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks during a taping of "Meet the Press" at the NBC studio in Washington February 28, 2009.  REUTERS/Alex Wong

Gates' comments on Sunday follows previous remarks by the chairman of the U.S. military Joint Chiefs of Staff -- Admiral Mike Mullen.

Earlier, Admiral Mullen said he believes Iran has enough fissile material to make a nuclear bomb.

The US suspects Iran of trying to use its nuclear program to build an atomic bomb. But Tehran insists it is purely for the peaceful generation of electricity.

Gates said the challenge remains in getting Iran to walk away from its nuclear program.

Especially in finding a balance between sanctions to pressure Iran and incentives to encourage Iran to engage with the US and Europe.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei