Washington, Dec. 1 (ANI): Iran’s latest plan to construct 10 more nuclear enrichment facilities and expand to a half-million centrifuges have curtailed President Barack Obama’s wait- and-see policy for the Islamic Republic.

On Monday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs warned that “time is running out” for the Iranians, while U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice called Tehran’s announcement “completely inappropriate” and “unacceptable.”

On at least four occasions this year, President Obama set deadlines for Iran to comply with international demands of transparency and cooperation on nuclear developments.

But Iran blatantly ignored all deadlines to freeze its uranium enrichment program, prompting critics to say that another “deadline” will have little impact.

“I don’t think (Obama) has any options other than the use of force. He goes through the motions of saying all options are on the table, but I don’t believe that and I don’t think the Iranians do either,” Fox News quoted former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, as saying.

“We’ve wasted so much time through the European Union efforts at negotiation that the only other option is the pre-emptive use of military force. If you don’t think Obama really is considering that seriously, then that brings the decision down to Israel to see what they do.”

Bolton said the White House’s “or else” warning, in form of more economic sanctions, would have no effect.

“We are well past the point where economic sanctions could actually achieve the objective of stopping the Iranian nuclear program. If Obama begins to pursue sanctions, that’s just going to lead to further delay,” he added. (ANI)