Iran could have nuclear weapon in 3-5 years: top US official

Iran could make enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb in one year, but would likely not have the know-how to build a weapon for 3-5 years, a top US military official said Wednesday.

Iran could make enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb in one year, but would likely not have the know-how to build a weapon for 3-5 years, a top US military official said Wednesday.

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If Tehran makes the decision to develop an atomic arsenal, including enrich uranium to weapons grade, "experience says that it's going to take 3-5 years" for them to have a nuclear weapon, General James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers.

Cartwright told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that he was making "an historical estimate" not specific to Iran and underlined: "I can't tell you what problems they will encounter."