Strategic Assessment

The date Iran is liable to achieve nuclear weapons is of particular significance when considering how to handle the Iranian nuclear issue. Estimating the time needed by Iran to attain a nuclear capability will greatly affect the planning of political efforts aimed at stopping Iran before this happens. Even more so, it will affect the decision of whether and when to make a military move against Iran, because military action can have a significant impact only if taken before Iran has nuclear weapons. Assessing this timetable is also important for preparing for a scenario in which Iran does succeed in developing nuclear weapons despite all efforts to stop it.