Tehran is preparing an underground test of a one-kiloton nuclear device during 2012, much like the test carried out by North Korea in 2006. Underground facilities are under construction in great secrecy behind the noise and fury raised by the start of advanced uranium enrichment at Iran's fortified, subterranean Fordo site near Qom.

According to a scenario prepared by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University, Israel was resigned to a nuclear Iran and the US would offer Israel a defense pact while urging Israel not to retaliate.

As quoted by the London Times Monday, Jan 1, INSS experts, neither the US nor Israel will use force to stop Iran's first nuclear test which they predicted would take place in January 2013, DEBKA Israeli news agency reported.