Iran heading to nuclear breakthrough: Mofaz

WASHINGTON-Iran is heading toward a major breakthrough in its nuclear program, an Israeli official said on Friday, as the White House warned Iran could face new sanctions if it ignores an international freeze offer."As soon as 2010 (Iran) will have the option to reach (uranium production) at military levels," Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz told an audience in Washington, adding that this would be an "unacceptable" development.Oil prices rose $4 in early Friday trade after the warning by Mofaz stirred concerns of a possible attack on the OPEC nation that would disrupt supplies.There has been speculation that either the United States or Israel could attack Iran's nuclear facilities, though both have said force should be a last recourse.The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program; Iran denies it, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said this week that Iran would press ahead on its nuclear path.Western powers gave Iran two weeks from July 19 to respond to their offer to hold off on imposing more U.N. sanctions on Iran if Tehran would freeze any expansion of its nuclear work.The White House said on Friday that "negative consequences await" if the Iranians don't respond positively. The informal deadline is this Saturday."That would possibly come in the form of sanctions," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.
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As in the days of Noah....