The inauguration of a heavy-water plant in Iran could bring closer a military action against Teheran by the United States and Israel, Geopolitical Problems Academy Vice President, retired Col. Gen Leonid Ivashov, told Interfax on Sunday. \"Undoubtedly, this could make a military action against Iran by the United States and Israel, and possibly the United Kingdom, more imminent, said Ivashov, an ex-head of the Defense Ministry\'s Main International Military Cooperation Department. \"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. In this situation Russia must assume \"a clear, but restrained position that would prevent a new conflict.\" \"A military operation against Iran would not only upset stability in the region, but also have a negative impact on Russia\'s interests,\" Ivashov said. 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)