Olli Heinonen, the former deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned Iran is only 6 to 8 months away from developing a nuclear weapon.
His comments were made during an interview with Army Radio in Israel and were reported by Israel National News.
"Israelis need to be worried, and the Gulf states also have reason for concern," Heinonen said. "How will you be able to ensure your security if Iran achieves nuclear abilities?"
He maintained, despite IAEA's claims, Iran can develop the weapons within 8 months. Heinonen maintained the Trump administration's decision to leave the Iran deal does not help.
"The Ayatollahs can handle the new sanctions, and in the meantime, they're making the new centrifuges," he explained.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas recently warned of Iran's nuclear program.
"In addition to secretly storing blueprints for nuclear weapons and refusing to turn over materials related to their nuclear weapons program, now they have pushed the envelope so far on centrifuges that the cheating can no longer be denied," he said.
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