Iranian nuclear bomb 'in a year'

DEFENCE Secretary Liam Fox has warned MPs that it is "entirely possible" that Iran may develop a nuclear weapon by next year.

During defence questions in the Commons Dr Fox also appeared to ratchet up the government's language on dealing with Iran by stating that it "would be worse for Iran to have a nuclear weapon" than having an Iraq-style invasion of the country.

His comments appeared to echo calls for more robust action made by Tony Blair while giving evidence to the Iraq War inquiry. Dr Fox told MPs that Tehran was continuing to pursue uranium enrichment as well as the construction of a heavy water reactor, both of which had "military potential".

And he cautioned the West not to be "caught out" and assume "things are more rosy than they are", as had happened with North Korea.