"Iran may recognize Israel in a number of years,"

Iranian official: We may recognize Israel

Top nuclear scientist also says Tehran 'playing with international community but will stop when it senses rope has been pulled too far' Yossi Bar An Iranian scientist involved with the country's nuclear program claimed his country could recognize Israel in several of years, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday.

"Iran may recognize Israel in a number of years," Dr. Rahman Garmanpoor, a manager of the Iranian nuclear program, told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

"Some of our society believes that we must be neutral, but the policies of the new president Ahmadinejad and his warring statements are tied to internal politics. This is a new government, that must consolidate its power," he said.

Dr. Garmanpoor, 35, said that his government is 'playing' with the international community, but that it would stop doing so the minute it felt it had pulled the rope too far.

"It's enough for the West to recognize Tehran's right to hold a nuclear research lab in order for Iran to declare its readiness to end nuclear development and return to negotiations," said Garmanpoor.