Russian expert: "Iran's heavy-water project could spark regional armed conflict"

"Undoubtedly, this could make a military action against Iran by the United States and Israel, and possibly the United Kingdom, more imminent," Geopolitical Problems Academy Vice President, Col. Gen (Ret.) Leonid Ivashov, told Interfax on Sunday.

"But Iran has picked a right moment for demonstrating its achievement in nuclear technology," he said.

"Iran is convinced that no military action will follow. Israel has been losing its prestige in its aggression against Lebanon, while the U.S. is bogged in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the current setting a military action against Iran would be tantamount to a political suicide for U.S. Presdient George W. Bush," he continued.

Reports circulated on Saturday said that Iran had launched a heavy-water plant in Arak. Iranian media, citing Iranian officials, claimed it is a major step in Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear technology to meet its civilian needs.

/Interfax/