JERUSALEM, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran is capable of developing and launching its first nuclear weapon by 2014, a senior Israeli intelligence official warned Tuesday.

    Meir Dagan, chief of Mossad (Israeli intelligence agency), made the remarks while speaking before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Knesset (parliament).

    "Launching a bomb these days is no problem, technically speaking," Dagan was quoted by local daily Ha'aretz as telling the committee members. "If the project has no technical glitches, and if Iran's program does not malfunction in any way, they will have a bomb to launch by 2014."

    "This is a significant existing threat for the State of Israel. We must distance this threat," said the Mossad chief.

    The United States and Israel have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, but Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

    Earlier this month, Brigadier General Yossi Baidatz, head of the research division of Israel's Military Intelligence, warned that Iran could have enough fissile material for its first nuclear bomb by the end of this year.

Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis