Separation generally begins from the border of the lens, it's not as uniformly diffused as in your picture. I would rule it out.
As others said it's difficult to judge by pictures, but a pair of years ago I had to return a Rodenstock lens which showed a similar effect: it looked like tiny bubbles as you said. I have had it inspected by Rodenstock in Germany and they replied that it was an alteration of the coating, and proposed that the single defective lens would be replaced (that is: no re-coating).
If this is indeed also your case, I suppose the pictures will come out just fine, except under paticular light conditions. If you have just purchased the lens, however, I suggest that you return it immediately and ask for a refund.