U.S. says Tehran is pursuing nuke arms

Washington Times ^ | November 25, 2005 | Bill Gertz

[billorites]

U.S. intelligence agencies are convinced that Iran is working to build nuclear weapons in secret based on a confidential report produced last week by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and on information from a former Iranian opposition figure. Administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the intelligence on the Iranian nuclear program is circumstantial, but includes information on the country's missile program and work on a nuclear payload-sized warhead for the Shahab-3 missile. "In terms of Iran's pattern of behavior, it's a very clear picture that they are hiding and deceiving the world about their nuclear-arms program by claiming it is for peaceful purposes," one official said. "They have clearly lied, and they keep getting caught in one lie after another." Documents from an Iranian laptop computer obtained from an Iranian source in 2004 are at the center of the intelligence case for Iran's nuclear-arms program. The intelligence shows that from 2001 to 2003, Iran was working to configure the Shahab-3, a 620-mile-range mobile missile, to deliver a warhead that has all the physical characteristics of a nuclear warhead, in terms of its size and shape. The documents show details about development work on nuclear weapons and design problems, but not all the papers are considered authentic.

< EDIT >

Gregory L. Schulte, U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, said that the facts show Iran has a long record of lying, covering up and withholding data on its nuclear program and that the program is linked to the Iranian military. He said Iran lacks deposits of natural uranium for fueling even a small-scale program to produce electrical power. "The deposits are sufficient, however, to enrich into weapons-grade material for a sizable stockpile of nuclear weapons," Mr. Schulte said. "This is not the sign of a peaceful program."

[Semper Paratus]

U.S. intelligence agencies are convinced that Iran is working to build nuclear weapons in secret based on a confidential report produced last week by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

How many 10 of billions are being spending on these agencies that they make recommedations based on readng UN reports?

[Flavius]

no really? why weren't we told...

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Unfortunately, Condi is our new and 'improved' secretary of state. Maybe she could bribe Iran with less border security along the Iran/Iraq border. I was originally concerned she would be as bad as Powell, hoping she would be more like Alan Keyes. Ha! She's worse than Powell.

[rbg81]

Unfortunately, the (apparent) intelligence failure on Iraq will make it harder for us to justify action against Iran. Its a shame too, cause I have no doubt that Iran is the real deal. Sadaam may have been brutal, but he wasn't crazy. With the Mullahs running the show there, all bets are off. If the Iranians strike Israel, that and the resulting counterstrike Middle East might uninhabitable for 10,000 years. Kiss your SUV goodbye.

[ARCADIA]

Ha! She's worse than Powell.

She is certainly turning out to be pretty lame; although, that may be said of the whole State Department.

[jackson29]

unfortunately Israel is 3 minutes away and another three into europe. its funny how when they make these things, they have multiple heads.

to wait any longer gives them more advantage

[humint]

The Iranian regime is a threat to world peace. Its drive for regional domination is fueled by a fascist ideology, a maligned version of Shiite Islam that none of Iran's grand Ayatollahs subscribed to. Iran's nuclear weapons program is of grave concern however you may appreciate a momentary digression. I noticed your interest in art from your FR home site and wanted to share a few images that transcend time and culture. The artist Goya was a genius and his works influenced his times. With technology, our methods to espress ourselves have changed since Goya's time but the core problems he observed are not resolved. Although society may never completely resolve them, I fear that while the current regime in Iran stands, there is no hope of to resolve the issues the free world and the Iranian people face from the Iranian government.

Francisco De Goya - Execution of the Rebels of the 3rd of May, 1808

1999 Student uprising in Iran: Click on image to see a short film

[billorites]

I pray that Iran is able to rid itself of the fascists with less bloodshed than befell the Spanish when they fought against Napoleon.

[Bon mots]

bump

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"...although, that may be said of the whole State Department."

You're right about that. State should be made subordinate to Defense.