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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| CIA: Iran capable of producing nukes | |
| 2010-03-31 | |
| By Bill Gertz Iran is poised to begin producing nuclear weapons after its uranium program expansion in 2009, even though it has had problems with thousands of its centrifuges, according to a newly released CIA report. "Iran continues to develop a range of capabilities that could be applied to producing nuclear weapons, if a decision is made to do so," the annual report to Congress states. That's not possible, a National Intelligence Estimate in 2007 said so ... A U.S. official involved in countering weapons proliferation said the Iranians are "keeping the door open to the possibility of building a nuclear weapon." "That's in spite of strong international pressure not to do so, and some difficulties they themselves seem to be having with their nuclear program," the official said. "There are powerful incentives for them to close the door completely, but they are either purposefully ignoring them or are tone deaf. You almost want to shout, 'Tune in Tehran.'" The CIA report is the latest official study expressing concern over Iran's continuing nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency on March 3 issued a report warning that continuing nuclear activities in violation of U.N. resolutions raise "concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile." The U.S. report was produced by the CIA Weapons Intelligence, Nonproliferation and Arms Control Center, known as WINPAC. It is called the 721 report for the section of a 1997 intelligence authorization law requiring it. The report also says that North Korea, based on a nuclear test in May 2009, now "has the capability to produce nuclear weapons with a yield of roughly a couple of kilotons TNT equivalent." On Iran, the report says that it is "keeping open" its options for building nuclear arms, "though we do not know whether Tehran eventually will decide to produce nuclear weapons." The report reflects the published conclusion of a controversial 2007 National Intelligence Estimate that stated Iran had halted work on nuclear weapons in 2003. The report, posted on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Web site, was written before a new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear program, which is nearing completion and is expected to revise the earlier estimate, although details have not been disclosed. According to the report, Iran expanded nuclear infrastructure and uranium enrichment in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that since 2006 have called on Tehran to halt the enrichment. During the first 11 months of last year, the main uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz produced about 1.8 tons of low-enriched uranium hexafluoride, compared with about half a ton the previous year. The number of centrifuges at Natanz increased from about 5,000 to 8,700 last year, although the number reported to be working is about 3,900, indicating the Iranians are having problems with the machines. They'd have more problems if the electricity was suddenly interrupted, just saying ...
Iran also continued work last year on a heavy water research reactor. On missiles, the report said Iran is building more short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and stated that "producing more capable medium-range ballistic missiles remains one of its highest priorities." Three test flights of a new 1,240-mile-range Sejil missile were conducted in 2009, the report said, noting that assistance from China, North Korea and Russia "helped move Iran toward self-sufficiency in the production of ballistic missiles." The report also said that Iran has the capability of producing both chemical and biological weapons, and Tehran continued to seek dual-use technology for its bioweapons program. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #9 We aren't going to execute anybody, so let's do the next best thing and disband their agency. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2010-03-31 19:57 |
| #8 total agreement with Rob - there has to be accountability for the political NIE used against W. All facets of it have been proven wrong or distorted, negatively impacting national security. Shouldn't that willful abuse be considered treason? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2010-03-31 19:19 |
| #7 So are the mooks that wrote and signed off on the NIE in 2007 fired or imprisoned? There should be a penalty for being wrong - and there definitely should be one for being duplicitious. |
| Posted by: Rob06 2010-03-31 19:14 |
| #6 Darth, the One will not tell other nations what to do (except Israel). They will tell us what to do. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2010-03-31 17:49 |
| #5 taking care of his constituents |
| Posted by: chris 2010-03-31 17:12 |
| #4 But... but... they said it wasn't possible. The blinding light of teh One would make all of mankind put down their weapons and love us and do what we tell them. I'm so confused.... /sarc |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2010-03-31 09:25 |
| #3 srry drunk |
| Posted by: chris 2010-03-31 03:45 |
| #2 obs,m,got whs=at hb wnstyd' |
| Posted by: chris 2010-03-31 03:44 |
| #1 Year 2012 + PAN-ISLAMIST NUCLEARIZATION > IRAN declares it is is de facto NUCLEAR STATE INCLUDNIG NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATE PCorrect "low-yield" Nukes andor Tacnukes only]. POST-2012 [Year 2013-N-Beyond] > ADVENT OF REGIONAL-GLOBAL NUCLEAR, OTHER ADVANCED WMDS TERRORISM, includ NUCLEAR MILITANCY/INSURGENCY. But I digress .... |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2010-03-31 02:48 |