Israeli general heads to US over Iran
Press TV – March 13, 2009
Israeli army chief of staff Lieutenant Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi is heading to the US for talks over Iran's nuclear program, Israeli media report.
The chief of staff left late Thursday night, according to Israeli military.
During his five-day visit, the general is scheduled to hold talks with National Security Advisor General James Jones and other officials.
Israel which is widely believed to have the Middle East's sole nuclear arsenal accuses the Islamic Republic of having a covert nuclear weapons program Tel Aviv has repeatedly threatened Iran with war if the country continues its nuclear program.
The trip comes as Israel's military intelligence chief Major General Amos Yadlin said last week that Iran has "crossed the technological threshold" to build a nuclear bomb.
However, US Intelligence Chief Dennis Blair said this week that "Iran does not have any highly enriched uranium" that could be used for making nuclear arms.
Iran, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), says its uranium enrichment program is a peaceful drive to produce nuclear energy for the country's growing demand.
IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei in his latest report in February reconfirmed the "non-diversion" of declared nuclear material in the Islamic Republic.
AGB/DT
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Last updated 17/03/2009