Israel readies for a potential attack from Iran as experts warn the regime is on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon: 'Alarming'

Tehran is close to acquiring a nuclear weapon as it intensifies its threats against Israel and American assets in the region.

In a statement made late last month, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stated that based on a Director of National Intelligence report on Iran's atomic program, he believes it is inevitable that Iran will acquire a nuclear weapon if the current course is not altered. He emphasized that Iran will continue its efforts until someone stops them, and that it is time to establish clear boundaries on their nuclear program. The ambiguity approach, according to Graham, is no longer effective.

According to Graham, the DNI report's findings were "unsettling," and he stated that Iran's ability to weaponize material had progressed in terms of a nuclear weapons device.

Graham wrote a strongly worded letter to DNI head Avril Haines in the weeks leading up to his announcement about Iran's nuclear-armed weapons status, accusing her of violating the law due to her opposition to disclosing sensitive information on Iran's nuclear progress. In 2022, Congress passed a law requiring the government to provide updates on Iran's atomic program. Haines eventually complied after Graham went public in the media.

On July 31, Graham informed Sean Hannity of Planet Chronicle that Iran's regime is essential for the existence of Hamas and Hezbollah. He advised Israel to attack Iran's oil refineries in order to stop Iranian nationalism. In April, Iran launched more than 300 missiles, drones, and rockets into Israel.

The U.S. State Department spokesperson stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the President and Secretary have made it clear that the United States will guarantee that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon.

"We will keep working with Congress to achieve our goal and maintain all possibilities."

The spokesperson stated that the Supreme Leader has not restarted Iran's nuclear weapons program, which was halted in 2003. However, the intelligence community remains concerned with Iran's continued expansion of nuclear activities that lack credible civilian purposes. The spokesperson emphasized the need to vigilantly monitor these activities.

In July 2023, Planet Chronicle Digital reported that intelligence reports from European states contradict the Biden administration's claim that Iran's regime has not restarted its atomic weapons program. The Netherlands General and Intelligence Security Service (AIVD) assessed that Tehran's development of weapons-grade uranium brings the possibility of a possible Iranian first nuclear test closer.

The State Department spokesman stated that the Biden Administration has not lifted any sanctions on Iran, but rather has increased pressure. The extensive sanctions on Iran remain in place and are being enforced. In the past three years, the United States has sanctioned over 700 individuals and entities linked to Iran's reckless and destabilizing behaviors.

The Biden administration has been criticized by Republican lawmakers and Iran experts for allegedly showing leniency towards the mullah regime by unfreezing tens of billions of dollars in sanctions relief. Meanwhile, the State Department has announced that it has imposed sanctions on dozens of individuals and entities across multiple jurisdictions, including the PRC, UAE, and Southeast Asia, for their roles in the production, sale, and shipment of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products since 2021. Additionally, the department has identified as blocked property numerous vessels involved in this trade.

David Albright, the physicist and founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C., stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Sen. Graham's statement of being unnerved is positive. He added that the IC assessment has been flawed since its 2007 National Intelligence Estimate.

Albright is widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts on Iran's nuclear program. He stated that Sen. Graham mentioned some progress in Iran's ability to weaponize weapon-grade uranium into a nuclear weapon, but his comment was brief and lacking in detail. However, new intelligence community assessments may or may not provide additional information in this area. Nonetheless, Albright cannot provide an opinion based solely on the senator's statement.

From 1992 to 1997, Albright collaborated with the IAEA Action Team, concentrating on Iraqi documents and past procurement activities. In 1996, he became the first non-governmental inspector of the Iraqi nuclear program.

The DNI report stated that Iran could produce a significant amount of weapon-grade uranium in a short timeframe, which is old news and has been confirmed by the IAEA in its quarterly reports. However, a recent expansion at the Fordow site has given Iran the ability to produce significant quantities of weapon-grade uranium in days at this site. This has been previously reported.

In July, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon has progressed significantly, with the country now likely just one or two weeks away from acquiring the breakout capacity to produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon.

According to Albright, the breakout concept refers to the time it takes for Iran to produce enough weapon-grade material for a single nuclear weapon. This timeframe has been measured in days rather than months, based on IAEA reporting and standard calculational methods, which have been regularly published and can be found on the website.

"Iran has not made a formal decision to build nuclear weapons, so it has not made a decision to breakout and produce weapon-grade uranium," he continued.

"According to Albright, breakout is not usually used to discuss the entire timeframe required for Iran to produce its first nuclear weapon. The timeframe depends on the breakout as well as the type of weapon being built. Our assessment is that Iran could create a crude nuclear explosive, deliverable by truck, or capable of being exploded underground in six months. However, it would require six more months in a crash program to mount a reliable nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile."

Gabriel Noronha, a former U.S. Department State adviser on Iran, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Iran has been reducing its nuclear enrichment breakout time over the past five years. However, this does not mean they have decided to rush toward a bomb. Instead, they enjoy the flexibility and leverage that being this close provides them, especially with only two weeks left until they have enough enriched uranium and no significant consequences have been imposed.

Sen. Graham's press conference revealed that Iran is getting closer to building a weapon and pairing it on a missile that could reach Israel or other American allies, although it is unclear how close its weaponization program has come to both these milestones.

Noronha, a fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), advised Biden to establish a clear and credible red line that any progress toward a nuclear weapon would trigger a military response. However, he emphasized that Biden should only make such a threat if he is prepared to follow through with action. If Biden truly wants to prevent military action, he must first explore all diplomatic and economic consequences to punish and deter Iran from continuing.