Reuters: Israel Army Chief Says Iran Not Building Nuclear Bomb

Israel's military chief said he does not believe Iran will decide to produce an atom bomb, describing its leadership as "very rational" in an interview recently published. Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz's characterisation of Iran's rulers appeared to be at odds with Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu's oft-stated warnings that Islamic leaders could opt to use nuclear weapons even at the risk of devastating retaliation. "Iran is moving step-by-step towards a point where it will be able to decide if it wants to make a nuclear bomb. It has not decided yet whether to go the extra mile," Gantz told the Haaretz daily. "In my opinion, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be making a huge mistake if he does that and I don't think he will want to go the extra mile," Gantz said. Israel, believed to have the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, sees a nuclear armed Iran as an existential threat. Tehran denies seeking the bomb and says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes. Both Israel and the United States have declined to rule out military action against Iran should economic sanctions fail to curb its nuclear program, saying all options were on the table. Iran recalls diplomat over Brazil groping scandal. Leon Panetta scoffs at Iran's claim it is harvesting US drone for intelligence. Iran "disconnects oil terminal after hacking attack. US unveils Syria and Iran technology sanctions. "I think the Iranian leadership is comprised of very rational people," Gantz said. "But I agree that such a capability in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, who at some moments may make different calculations, is a dangerous thing." In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said he wouldn't want to bet "the security of the world on Iran's rational behavior".