Iran ‘Hell-Bent’ on Getting Nuclear Weapon, Ex-CIA Dir. Hayden Says

Iran remains “hell-bent” on obtaining a nuclear weapon — and that deeply worries former CIA Director Michael Hayden.

Newsmax.TV asked Hayden if the Iranians, once they obtain a nuclear weapon, would use it against Israel or the U.S.

“I don’t know and I don’t want to find out,” he declared.

Editor's Note: See the Newsmax.TV interview with Gen. Michael Hayden below

“That’s one of the most disturbing things. Usually I’m able to maintain this kind of professional detachment from these kinds of things. I can stay a bit removed. This one really worries me personally,” Hayden said.

Hayden, a former four-star Air Force General, served as CIA director under President George W. Bush and departed the agency shortly after President Obama took office. He is now with the Chertoff Group, a security-consulting firm headed by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

“As I watch what the Iranian government is doing, and frankly I think they’re operating against their own self-interest, but they seem hell-bent on getting this weapon,” he said.

A new study released this month, based on U.N. inspection and intelligence findings, disclosed that Iran is on course to produce enough highly enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons.

The Islamic Republic has adjusted some centrifuges to enrich uranium to a higher grade than that needed to generate electricity, stoking Western concern that it is working to produce a nuclear weapon.

“I’m worried about the irresponsible use of such a device, given some of the things they’ve said,” Hayden added.

“But beyond that, let’s just assume for a moment, and that’s a big assumption, that they get the device but that’s simply what they wanted to have. They wanted to own it for the deterrent effect. Even that would be incredibly destabilizing in the neighborhood. This is just bad all over.”

Editor’s Note — Read more on Gen. Michael Hayden's interview:

• Hayden: Al-Qaida Would Use Nuclear Device – Click Here
• Ex-CIA Director Hayden Praises Obama for ‘Continuity’ in War on Terror – Click Here