U.S. Now Sees Iran As Pursuing Nuclear Bomb

[Orwellian_Ghost]

U.S. now sees Iran as pursuing nuclear bomb

In a reversal since a 2007 report, U.S. officials expect the Islamic Republic to reach development milestones this year.

By Greg Miller
February 12, 2009

Reporting from Washington -- Little more than a year after U.S. spy agencies concluded that Iran had halted work on a nuclear weapon, the Obama administration has made it clear that it believes there is no question that Tehran is seeking the bomb.

In his news conference this week, President Obama went so far as to describe Iran's "development of a nuclear weapon" before correcting himself to refer to its "pursuit" of weapons capability.

Obama's nominee to serve as CIA director, Leon E. Panetta, left little doubt about his view last week when he testified on Capitol Hill. "From all the information I've seen," Panetta said, "I think there is no question that they are seeking that capability."

The language reflects the extent to which senior U.S. officials now discount a National Intelligence Estimate issued in November 2007 that was instrumental in derailing U.S. and European efforts to pressure Iran to shut down its nuclear program.



http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-fg-usiran12-2009feb12,0,3478184.story

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. Iraq had WMD's 7 years ago too - 1 million dead/wounded/displaced later, no WMD's

.
.
.

OH

and the Afghanistan thingy?

Can't the "superpower" find ONE MAN????

Sorry

USA's credibility in the "Military Intelligence" area is sorta . .

"wimpy"?? to say the least . . . .

[Junkdrawer]

2. This is why I'm watching the Israeli elections so closely....

If Netanyahu gains significant influence, if not the outright office of Prime Minister, an attack on Iran and therefore a wider Middle East War, is imminent.

Right now, that looks like a lead pipe cinch.

[Turbineguy]

3. The Bush Administration worked very hard to convince them

that they need nuclear weapons. Also, Bush ran up the price of oil so the Iranians could afford the research.

What a guy!

I wish he'd been working against America instead of for us.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Seems like, no matter who gets the most votes in a US election,

AIPAC is always the winner.

[Ezlivin]

5. Does the U.S. "see" that Israel has hundreds of nuclear weapons?

Just curious...