(Ynet).Nuclear experts told Ynet Tuesday evening that it was not likely Western powers would succeed in imposing the sanctions extolled by Obama, in light of China's known stance.
Ephraim Asculai, a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said Iran was well on its way to achieving nuclear prowess.
"From the moment they have enriched uranium to 20-percent purity, most of the work in achieving a military level of enrichment has been completed, and the distance left is not significant," he said.
"However it may very well be a method of defiance aimed at pressuring the West," Asculai added. "It is a very serious step, and should have been prevented long ago."
Emily Landau, also a senior researcher at the INSS, agrees China would make it nearly impossible to impose sanctions through the UN. However she also believes the West will have trouble imposing private sanctions on Iran.
"The option of sanctions outside the Security Council exists, but they keep saying 'soon' and we have not yet seen any steps taken," she told Ynet.
Landau added that the US would not likely impose sanctions either. "President Obama has decided he will only act within a multi-sided framework. He has reservations about imposing sanctions privately, and if he doesn't do so soon, they will not be effective in any case," she concluded.
Ephraim Asculai, a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said Iran was well on its way to achieving nuclear prowess.
"From the moment they have enriched uranium to 20-percent purity, most of the work in achieving a military level of enrichment has been completed, and the distance left is not significant," he said.
"However it may very well be a method of defiance aimed at pressuring the West," Asculai added. "It is a very serious step, and should have been prevented long ago."
Emily Landau, also a senior researcher at the INSS, agrees China would make it nearly impossible to impose sanctions through the UN. However she also believes the West will have trouble imposing private sanctions on Iran.
"The option of sanctions outside the Security Council exists, but they keep saying 'soon' and we have not yet seen any steps taken," she told Ynet.
Landau added that the US would not likely impose sanctions either. "President Obama has decided he will only act within a multi-sided framework. He has reservations about imposing sanctions privately, and if he doesn't do so soon, they will not be effective in any case," she concluded.