- Text
Panetta: Iran will not be allowed nukes
The U.S. Secretary of Defense said Monday night that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. In an interview, Leon Panetta, said despite the efforts to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program, the Iranians have reached a point where they can assemble a bomb in a year or potentially less.
Secretary Panetta spoke with us at the end of an overseas trip during which he reviewed strategy in Afghanistan and formally ended the war in Iraq.
CBS News anchor Scott Pelley caught up with Secretary Panetta on his tour last week of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. On the way home, he boarded the jet nicknamed "The Doomsday Plane." This is the command post where he and the president would direct a nuclear war. In an interview for "60 Minutes," we sat down in the compartment where he would execute the commander-in-chief's orders. Panetta told CBS News that Iran needs only one year to build a nuclear weapon.
Russia seizes radioactive sodium headed for IranIran: We'll move enrichment plants if necessary
Cheney: Obama has not acted to stop Iran nukes
Pelley: So are you saying that Iran can have a nuclear weapon in 2012?
Panetta: It would probably be about a year before they can do it. Perhaps a little less. But one proviso, Scott, is if they have a hidden facility somewhere in Iran that may be enriching fuel.
Pelley: So that they can develop a weapon even more quickly...
Panetta: On a faster track....
Pelley: Than we believe....
Panetta: That's correct.
Pelley: If the Israelis decide to launch a military strike to prevent that weapon from being built, what sort of complications does that raise for you?
Panetta: Well, we share the same common concern. The United States does not want Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. That's a red line for us and that's a red line, obviously, for the Israelis. If we have to do it we will deal with it.
Pelley: You just said if we have to do it we will come and do it. What is it?
Panetta: If they proceed and we get intelligence that they are proceeding with developing a nuclear weapon then we will take whatever steps necessary to stop it.
Pelley: Including military steps?
Panetta: There are no options off the table
Pelley: A nuclear weapon in Iran is...
Panetta: Unacceptable.
Panetta also told CBS News that while Iran needs a year or less to assemble a weapon, he has no indication yet that the Iranians have made the decision to go ahead.
- Evening News Online, 02.22.12
- Priceless artifacts donated to Natl. African American History Museum
- FDA approves controversial diet drug
- Romney still struggling to prove conservative values
- Santorum takes conservative hard line on social issues
- Afghan protests continue over Koran burning
- Reporting from inside Syria
- WH opens door to possibility of arming Syrian rebels
- 2 Journalists killed in escalating Syrian violence
- Black history museum gets special opening gift
- Santorum stands firm on pro-life position
- Romney says he's pro-life despite GOP doubts
- FDA panel backs weight loss drug, despite risks
- U.S. scrambling for options on Syria
- Journalists a "target" in Syria, reporter says
- Santorum: I oppose civil unions
- Second gun used in ICE agent murder linked to ATF undercover operation
- Officials: Death toll in attacks across Baghdad and Iraq provinces rises to 48
- Mass shooting at spa shocks Ga. Korean community
- China urges Iran to cooperate with UN inspectors
- Scores killed as attacks target Iraq police
on Facebook
- Six decades of Oscar fashion
- Christie: Buffett should "write a check and shut up"
- "Biggest Loser" contestants reportedly threaten to quit
on CBS News
