U.S. does not believe Iran is trying to build nuclear bomb

The Los Angeles Times ^ | February 23, 2012 | Ken Dilanian

[2ndDivisionVet]

As U.S. and Israeli officials talk publicly about the prospect of a military strike against Iran's nuclear program, one fact is often overlooked: U.S. intelligence agencies don't believe Iran is actively trying to build an atomic bomb.

A highly classified U.S. intelligence assessment circulated to policymakers early last year largely affirms that view, originally made in 2007. Both reports, known as national intelligence estimates, conclude that Tehran halted efforts to develop and build a nuclear warhead in 2003.

The most recent report, which represents the consensus of 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, indicates that Iran is pursuing research that could put it in a position to build a weapon, but that it has not sought to do so.

Although Iran continues to enrich uranium at low levels, U.S. officials say they have not seen evidence that has caused them to significantly revise that judgment. Senior U.S. officials say Israel does not dispute the basic intelligence or analysis....

[SF_Redux]

or the Jesuits

[llandres]

RuPaul thinks we have no reason or proof to believe they’re building nukes. It’s interesting how he and Michelle Bachmann, both in Congress, have such different opinions on that. (Of course, she’s on the Intel Committee :-)