MI6 'foiled' Iran nuclear hopes

MI6 chief Sir John Sawer has spoken about how covert operations by UK forces prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons as early as 2008 but that it is only two years until the country becomes 'a nuclear state'

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MI6 chief: 'Iran wants nuclear weapons'

The MI6 chief has made clear he did not believe Iranian claims that its nuclear programme is intended purely for civilian energy purposes.

"The Iranians are determinedly going down a path to master all aspects of nuclear weapons; all the technologies they need," said Sir John.

He said it was MI6's responsibility to "delay that awful moment when the politicians may have to take a decision between accepting a nuclear-armed Iran or launching a military strike against Iran".

MI6 chief: 'Iran is two years from being a nuclear state'

The MI6 chief was speaking at the Civil Service Live event in Olympia and claimed that Iran was now just “two years away” from becoming a “nuclear weapons state”.

The event was open to visitors and was titled “Unclassified chat: Sir John Sawers CMG” has been reported in Civil Service World, a publication dedicated to senior Whitehall officials.

The Iranians are determinedly going down a path to master all aspects of nuclear weapons; all the technologies they need. It’s equally clear that Israel and the United States would face huge dangers if Iran were to become a nuclear weapon state.

– Sir John Sawer

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