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Breakthrough Reached in Intel on Iran
Jerusalem Post ^ | May 4, 2008 | Staff

Posted on 05/04/2008 3:50:31 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die

Mossad chief Meir Dagan is expected to brief MI6 head Sir John Scarlett, who is slated to visit Israel later this month, on an intelligence gathering breakthrough regarding the Iranian nuclear program, The Sunday Times reported.

There is mounting concern in Israel that Iran's nuclear capability may be far more advanced than was recognised in a declassified assessment by the US National Intelligence Estimate last December, which concluded that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons development program in 2003 in response to international pressure.

A source quoted by the paper claimed that the new information was on par with intelligence that led to the discovery and destruction of a partly constructed nuclear reactor in Syria last September.

Israeli officials believe the US will revise its analysis of Iran's program. "We expect the Americans to amend their report soon," a high-ranking military officer said last week.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni briefed British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Israel's findings during talks on the Middle East in London last week. Israeli intelligence officers, en route from Washington where they had been outlining their latest information to American officials, joined Livni for the briefing.

It is thought that if Israel were weighing military action against Iran, it would first seek diplomatic support in London and Washington because of the danger of triggering a wider Middle East conflict.

(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; iranarmageddon; iraniannukes; israel; wot
Apart from terrorism, hard information on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has for many years undoubtedly been at the very top of the "want lists" of the intelligence agencies of the leading Western powers.

Yet repeatedly, the major players in the field, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Britain's MI6 among them, have failed to deliver the required intelligence when most needed.

Perhaps we finally do have conclusive evidence to vaporize Tehran, after all.

1 posted on 05/04/2008 3:50:31 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Unless Israel or some other good Samaritan levels the entire Iranian nuclear program, don’t call it a breakthrough.


2 posted on 05/04/2008 3:52:05 AM PDT by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: All

Tehran weather forecast; brilliant skies followed by overcast mushroom cloud,firestorm, winds, heavy radioactive rainfall,


3 posted on 05/04/2008 3:55:27 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: pnh102

I didn’t call it a breakthrough. That’s the word the Jerusalem
Post chose to describe.


4 posted on 05/04/2008 3:56:46 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: freerepublic_or_die
US National Intelligence...............

Now there's an oxymoron if I ever saw one.

Based on recent track records, I don't think the US National Intelligence agencies could find their rear end with both hands!

5 posted on 05/04/2008 4:34:48 AM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: freerepublic_or_die
...which concluded that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons development program in 2003 in response to international pressure.

Gee. Let us take a guess. Perhaps this 'weapons development program' was restarted a few years ago ?

6 posted on 05/04/2008 4:57:57 AM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: justa-hairyape

Incorrect, sir. It was never re-started.....because it was never halted.


7 posted on 05/04/2008 5:15:25 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: freerepublic_or_die
"Mossad chief Meir Dagan is expected to brief MI6 head Sir John Scarlett, who is slated to visit Israel later this month, on an intelligence gathering breakthrough regarding the Iranian nuclear program..."

Something odd about this report...

Don't we usually expect our intelligence agencies to do whatever it is they do, in secret?

This report makes it sound more like some international conference of politicians.

Whasup with that?

8 posted on 05/04/2008 5:51:00 AM PDT by BroJoeK (A little historical perspective....)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Agreed, there may have been a pause in construction of some facilities in Iran but as it turns out maybe the plan was not to have everything within Iranian borders.

If Syria was building the facility for the fuel, they could work on the other hardware and then Syria would send the fuel for the bombs.

What is dangerous here is the underlying tenor of this obviously leaked story.
Israel is clearly saying that similar to the failure of Western Intelligence (UK and US) on the Syrian nuclear program, they have uncovered significant information on Iran’s program and that a recent trip to DC and new meetings in the UK is imparting this classified info.

This spells big trouble. Big. This is being released to the public so they can read the tea leaves.

And perhaps as a final warning to Iran.


9 posted on 05/04/2008 5:54:44 AM PDT by romanesq
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To: AliVeritas; holdonnow

PING


10 posted on 05/04/2008 6:17:57 AM PDT by sono (If you think the Three Stooges are infantile, check out the Democrat Party.)
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To: romanesq
No one is going to disagree with you that this entire scenario is fraught with a Pandora box multitude of danger, exponentially exacerbated by Iran's penchant for violence,
hatred for Israel,the US and its proclivity for terror.

The fact is that there's absolutely nothing the West could possibly offer Iran that would assuage it from abandoning its objective of nuclear capability.

Unless there is demonstrative military intervention, Iran, sooner or later, is going to acquire nuclear capacity, and ergo, the imperative to neutralize them is also IMHO a foregone conclusion.

Again, in coming back to what you've commented, it's not going to pretty or neat, miscalculation, the fear of miscalculation is why there is such meticulous
deliberation on just exactly how to get it done.

11 posted on 05/04/2008 6:19:44 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

I consider that your assumption that we don’t know is without basis. The fact you don’t know doesn’t mean the CIA/MI6 doesn’t know.

Your not knowing is the goal.


12 posted on 05/04/2008 6:24:50 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . The Bitcons will elect a Democrat by default)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

“Perhaps we finally do have conclusive evidence to vaporize Tehran, after all.”

Not likely. We have had hard evidence of Iran’s complicity and aid in killing hundreds of our troops, through IED’s and other weapons and support, for years. The mullahs must be high-fiving all around the mosque, making fun of the paper tiger we have proven to be vis a vis Tehran. I’ve just about lost all faith in our abilities and willingness to uphold even the simplest tenets of the “Bush Doctrine”.


13 posted on 05/04/2008 6:29:37 AM PDT by thelastvirgil
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To: freerepublic_or_die

14 posted on 05/04/2008 6:37:46 AM PDT by wastedyears (The US Military is what goes Bump in the night.)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Thanks for your post. I agree with you and won’t even attempt to write in what fares with miscalculation on any side. I fear the pandora’s box is already in place short of just opening.

Just short may mean months, years but regardless I don’t like the outcome.
And the inability of the West to effectively deal with this now will only make it worse.

Israel is not going to be a casualty of this miscalculation much longer.


15 posted on 05/04/2008 6:41:18 AM PDT by romanesq
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To: thelastvirgil
Perhaps we finally do have conclusive evidence to vaporize Tehran, after all.
All I said was that we have the evidence, not that we would necessarily do anything about it. / :-). I'm joking of course.

As far as the "Bush Doctrine" ever seeing the light of day I'm very sorry to say I wholeheartdly agreewith you. much to my utter 3D (dismay, disillusionment, disappointment.)

16 posted on 05/04/2008 6:41:20 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: BroJoeK
Don't we usually expect our intelligence agencies to do whatever it is they do, in secret? This report makes it sound more like some international conference of politicians. Whasup with that?

Israel is trying to influence our policy towards Iran. They surely have already relayed this information the US and the UK, but they apparently don't like our response. Hence, they are going public.

17 posted on 05/04/2008 6:45:04 AM PDT by kabar
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To: romanesq

This is but another of several stones being turned.

An Iraqi delegation to Iran this week is another

The war will begin soon after August 1, and will be conducted by a Coalition of the Threatened that included Israel and Saudi Arabia


18 posted on 05/04/2008 6:45:39 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . The Bitcons will elect a Democrat by default)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

One significant thing which has changed in the past month is that the IAEA has changed its tune on whether Iran was living up to IAEA rules and whether Iran is trying to make a weapon. The IAEA is always the footdragger in these cases so now they have accepted that Iran is still working towards becoming a nuclear power.


19 posted on 05/04/2008 6:46:38 AM PDT by JustDoItAlways
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To: freerepublic_or_die

This won’t change a thing. America’s official policy on Iran is to sit around and hope for the best.


20 posted on 05/04/2008 7:02:20 AM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Liberals: can't live with them, can't ship them to Syria.)
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To: freerepublic_or_die
A source quoted by the paper claimed that the new information was on par with intelligence that led to the discovery and destruction of a partly constructed nuclear reactor in Syria last September.

If true, then that means that someone is definitely going to bomb Iran (Israel and/or USA) very soon. My prediction is no earlier than when the polls close in November, because oil prices will be going through the roof (roof = $200/barrel) when the first bomb detonates. I think the president will press the button before he leaves office. This makes me happy. But I will not satisfied until we have regime change in Iran. The force bringing about the regime change needs to be the freedom-loving Iranian people themselves, to the maximum extent possible (think more like Afghanistan, and not like Iraq).

21 posted on 05/04/2008 7:12:51 AM PDT by tlj18 (Governor Sarah Palin for Vice President!)
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To: pnh102
I'm with you. Words are worthless. All 4ick and no balls is a eunuch.

Until I wake up and hear that there is a parking lot where Tehran used to be nothing will come of it.

22 posted on 05/04/2008 7:18:43 AM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (Senator McCain, what did GWB promise you back in 2000? And you believed him? BWAHAAAAA!)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Is anyone BUT Israel getting meaningful information about Iran?


23 posted on 05/04/2008 7:21:32 AM PDT by Cinnamon Girl (McCain calls it "radical islamic terrorism," the dems don't refer to it at all)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

24 posted on 05/04/2008 7:43:38 AM PDT by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...

MI6 Chief Visits Mossad for Talks on Iran’s Nuclear Threat
TimesOnline - UK | May 04, 2008
Posted on 05/04/2008 7:25:48 AM PDT by nuconvert
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011027/posts

Iran to UK: Don’t Cross “Red Lines” in Atomic Offer
Reuters | May 4, 2008 | Staff
Posted on 05/04/2008 4:41:42 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010979/posts

Report: Hezbollah can intercept calls in Lebanon thanks to Iran
Haaretz | 5 May 08 | Yoav Stern
Posted on 05/04/2008 7:25:25 AM PDT by LSUfan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011026/posts

US Feels Heat After Iran-Switzerland $42b Gas Deal-Tehran Times
TEhran Times | May 4, 2008 | Staff
Posted on 05/03/2008 6:34:38 PM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010886/posts


25 posted on 05/04/2008 7:58:48 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______________________Profile updated Monday, April 28, 2008)
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To: Cinnamon Girl

Bravo, cinnmaon girl. You exhibit extraordinary self-confidence by making your comment without feeling compelled to conclude with [/sarcasm off.] :-)


26 posted on 05/04/2008 8:07:26 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die (Islam:Truly the opium of the morons with apologies to Karl Marx)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Why would I? Welcome to Free Republic.


27 posted on 05/04/2008 8:09:19 AM PDT by Cinnamon Girl (McCain calls it "radical islamic terrorism," the dems don't refer to it at all)
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To: freerepublic_or_die; varon
Compared to the "head in the sand" approach of the NIE, anything is a "Breakthrough"!
28 posted on 05/04/2008 9:02:55 AM PDT by HardStarboard (Take No Prisoners - We're Out Of Qurans)
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To: freerepublic_or_die

Expected highs in the twenty thousands.


29 posted on 05/04/2008 9:17:53 AM PDT by Erasmus (Nihilism never amounted to anything.)
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To: kabar

I hope we stay out of Israel’s way.


30 posted on 05/04/2008 9:41:37 AM PDT by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: pnh102

BUMP what you said.
Go, Israel, GO!


31 posted on 05/04/2008 9:44:13 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: kabar
You dont like Israel doing the dirty work for you?

They did it in Iraq in 1980 and they did it in Syria last year...I don't see you guys bombing any nuclear reactors...You guys keep bad mouthing Israel, but after Israel is gone they'll be coming after you guys...so thank g-d that Israel is taking care of business you guys don't seem to want to do....

After WWI & WWII All you do is go into a war zone than hightailing out of there before the job is complete starting with Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and probably now Iraq....

32 posted on 05/04/2008 5:03:25 PM PDT by forYourChildrenVote4Bush (911 Republican)
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To: kabar; BroJoeK
Israel is trying to influence our policy towards Iran. They surely have already relayed this information the US and the UK, but they apparently don't like our response. Hence, they are going public.

Kabar, I love to read your posts and usually consider them an education, but I hope you're wrong on this one. I'm referring to not liking our response, thus going public to force the issue. I haven't liked our various responses to Israel for some time now since GWB spun a 180 after Israel wimped on the Lebanon thing, but I'm hoping we're on board for this.

There is mounting concern in Israel that Iran's nuclear capability may be far more advanced than was recognised in a declassified assessment by the US National Intelligence Estimate last December...

IMO it's obvious that the left wing cabal allied with our enemies and safely ensconced in several of our intelligence agencies produced and leaked the BS NIE farce in order to preempt any attempt on our part to take necessary action in Iran. It worked.

A source quoted by the paper claimed that the new information was on par with intelligence that led to the discovery and destruction of a partly constructed nuclear reactor in Syria last September.

New information my butt. However, calling it new info prevents a defensive reaction by the traitors in the cabal who are not being accused of what they DID, and linking it to info on the Syria action--which received very little blow back--undoes the damage of the dishonest "Estimate" and reopens the opportunity for proper (IMO) action against Iran. Even if the only action is to get out of Israel's way.

33 posted on 05/04/2008 5:43:15 PM PDT by Sal (Biofuels: using your tax money to starve the 3rd world to death.)
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To: Gondring

we seem to have stayed out of the way when they went into Syria


34 posted on 05/04/2008 5:51:49 PM PDT by woofie
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To: forYourChildrenVote4Bush
Israel wouldn't exist without the US. We have provided over $100 billion in assistance. Israel is protecting its own national interests. The attacks on Iraq and Syria were not done on behalf of the US.

After WWI & WWII All you do is go into a war zone than hightailing out of there before the job is complete starting with Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and probably now Iraq....

Israel has hightailed it out of Lebanon and Gaza.

35 posted on 05/04/2008 8:18:20 PM PDT by kabar
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To: kabar
Hence, they are going public.

According to the leaked reports from last year, when the Israelis presented the US with information about Syria's reactor, the US demanded absolute verification of the reactor (see the released video taken last year). The Israelis apparently initially briefed the US last summer. Going public about Iran now probably means that the Israelis cannot afford to wait 3 to 4 months, while absolute verification is provided. That could mean Iran is going nuclear before the next Rino/Dino President gets sworn.

Where is Alexander the Great when you need him ? Hopefully somewhere in Iraq and Afghanistan right about now.

36 posted on 05/05/2008 4:16:03 AM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: justa-hairyape
How about a 5 month wait until October.....

Just saying...

37 posted on 05/05/2008 2:27:58 PM PDT by taildragger (The Answer is Fred Thompson, I do not care what the question is.....)
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To: justa-hairyape
According to the leaked reports from last year, when the Israelis presented the US with information about Syria's reactor, the US demanded absolute verification of the reactor (see the released video taken last year).

As well we should have. A mistake on that front might rather quickly have involved us in a war at a time and place not of our choosing.

Rock-solid confirmation apparently freed us up to help Israel in several material ways, and Syria did not dare to retaliate, as the truth would have damaged their position.

38 posted on 05/05/2008 2:38:34 PM PDT by r9etb
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To: r9etb
Rock-solid confirmation apparently freed us up to help Israel in several material ways, and Syria did not dare to retaliate, as the truth would have damaged their position.

Syria still denies that was a nuclear reactor. The truth never hurts liars. Syria did not retaliate because Israel was prepared for the retaliation. The only way the Syrians stand a chance against Israel, is if the Syrians control the initiative. Israel faltered in Lebanon last time because it was a reactionary use of force. You never hit the enemy at the time and place of their choosing.

The problem with Iran is that we already know they have nuclear reactors. Rock-solid confirmation in this case would be Iran reaching the point of no return or a massive nuclear explosion along the coast or border of Israel. Iran could also try to sneak a nuclear tipped missile into Israel during a massive barrage from the east, north and west.

39 posted on 05/05/2008 6:22:42 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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