Iran’s Nuclear Bomb Effort Has Slowed: U.S. General

General David Petraeus

General Petraeus said today that Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons has been slowed “a bit” and claimed that it would not have them this year. Speaking in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee Petraeus said “It has, thankfully, slid to the right a bit and it is not this calendar year, I don’t think.”

U.S. General David Petraeus said on Tuesday Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear weapon appear to have been delayed “a bit” and voiced confidence it would not have a bomb this year.

The comments by the head of the U.S. Central Command, which oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, underscored the Obama administration’s message to Israel and Gulf allies — that there is time to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program by imposing more economic sanctions.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s top military advisers, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have been playing down the effectiveness of using military force against Iran.

U.S. Will Use Banks to Thwart Iran Nukes

The Administration will be tightening the restrictions around Iranian banks in favor of an aerial bombing campaign against Iranian Nuclear facilities. A White House staffer was quoted as saying “even as we move toward the pressure track, the door to engagement is still open.” It would seem this move is intended to drive Tehran back to negotiations about restricting its nuclear development.

The Obama administration, having failed in its first year to reach an entente with Iran, will toughen U.S. policy by applying unprecedented pressures on that regime as it continues its quest to become a nuclear power.

Nonetheless, President Obama for now is ruling out an aerial bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities and is choosing instead to further isolate Iran from the international financial system.

The first target likely will be Iran’s banks. Building on steps taken during the second term of the George W. Bush presidency, the Treasury Department likely will designate Iran’s central bank as a terrorist-supporting entity.