April 26, 2007
Iran May Be Closer To Nukes Than Thought
U.S. Intelligence Moves Up Worst-Case Scenario Date To 2010, But Says Iran Will Likely Take Longer
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Nuclear Iran By 2010?
CBS News has learned that a new U.S. intelligence report says Iran could have enough enriched uranium to a nuclear weapon in less than three years. David Martin reports.
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How Far Along Is Iran?
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Some leaders are wary of this claim, especially when the country's president boasted of the speed of the process. Elizabeth Palmer reports.
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U.S. intelligence officials caution that before Iran could meet or beat that 2010 date, it would have to make further technical progress in operating a uranium enrichment plant now under construction, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.
As a result, there is no change in the official estimate that it will take Iran until 2015 to become a nuclear power. But David Albright, a leading expert, thinks that doesn't give Iranian scientists enough credit.
"I think Iran can get enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon sooner than that," Albright says. "I think the 2015 number reflects too much skepticism about Iran's technical capabilities, and they are making progress."
Although U.S. intelligence still considers an Iranian nuclear weapon by 2010 as a worst-case scenario, Pentagon officials say the new report narrows the window in which Israel might launch a preemptive strike against Iran, as it did in 1981 against an Iraqi nuclear reactor.
Israel is the country most threatened by the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon. Former CIA officer Bruce Riedel says this latest intelligence would increase the chances of an Israeli strike launched with American-built warplanes.
"The Israelis have long believed that Iran is closer than U.S. intelligence believes it is," Riedel says. "If they now hear that the Americans think it's getting closer as well, it puts pressure on Israel to take its own action."
Riedel adds that an Israeli strike would be seen in Iran as no different from an American strike and could involve the U.S. in a war against a much tougher opponent than Iraq.
In Tehran, CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports the nuclear program is a matter of national pride.
A few weeks ago, president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gathered reporters at the main nuclear plant in Natanz to boast that his country now could enrich uranium on an industrial scale.
But what exactly does that mean?
In the enrichment process, scientists feed uranium gas into linked centrifuges. Iranian officials hint that they have 3,000 centrifuges working at Natanz. But international atomic energy commission inspectors — who toured the plant last month — are reported to have seen less than half that many working — 1,300 — and only a few had uranium gas in them.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only — to make fuel for power plants being built in Iran by the Russians.
Two years ago, Palmer and her CBS News crew were the first Western reporters to be shown the heavy water plant at Arak, which the Iranians say is for making medical radioactive isotopes.
The trouble is few world leaders are convinced and at the moment there is no surefire way of checking until — perhaps — it's too late.
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See all 121 CommentsWhen are these soldiers going to stand up for their constitional and God given rights and tell
G W to go to H_E_L_L ?
If we actively had an embassy there, some overt infromation could also be gathered to temper or support the evidence.
One thing is for sure, If they are this close to bomd technology, someone is helping them (China?, Russia?, Pakistan?)
Anyway....In abseence of other data, I also call this news BS.
SPARE US THE PROPAGANDA AND 'TALKING POINTS FOR WAR'!
Dam warmongers!
But we're going to go with a scare headline anyways.
It's what we do.
Riedel adds that an Israeli strike would be seen in Iran as no different from an American strike and could involve the U.S. in a war against a much tougher opponent than Iraq.
-Former CIA Riedel must active with Isareli Mossad, isn't he? maybe as he ever was. Those people never stop. It's a great senario to put pressure on one another just to provoke a strike on Tehran.
-We've already witnessed such corrupt reports, namely the one forged by Mossad and distributed to Italians, French... (and all other allies who did not swallow it), but served as a (lie-based) document witnessing the Iraqi WMD.
-In the case Iran had a Nuclear Bomb or had capacity of Nuclear Bomb, will put it at a balanced position in order to defend itself from nuclear attacks by Israel, or American ChickenHawks in order to annihilate the Iranian regime. Iran is a stabilizing force in the Middle-East. We saw how they brightly ended up the Brits sailors crisi.
-They should be given a chance to prove to the world they are a good player on the scene of the Great Nations.
for sale...
The US will be put in the position saving ourselves from the angry Bear that chased Israel through 'our' tent. Ala "Jerimiah Johnson".
Posted by ToolMangler
-Israel is no suicidal. They know Iran had been actuvely looking to acquire 'Nukelar', and that shakes the heck out of them. Nonetheless the Jewsih state of Israel, similarly to the Islamic State of Iran, cannot confront the whole Islamic world at the same time. Israel just cannot afford another war by warrior and tough Hezbollah from South Lebanon. Not only that but the tacit collaboration between Syria and Iran is not very helpful to Israel. Iran being in Syria without really admitting it... Israel is more at risk than ever. So they will negotiate (actually they have no other choice) the acceptance of a nuclear Iran. It's in a way a fait-accompli.
If they do use it, it will start WWWIII, everyone will have to choose up sides and have at it. Maybe when the dust settles, who's ever left will have had enough of war and will be ready to make real peace in the region; if there is anything left.
Oh yeah, another BUSH scare tactic, notice how this comes out right in the MIDDLE of the Congressional bill on troop withdrawl!
I'm surprised the Bush regime hasn't trotted out a new "Bin Laden speaks" tape too for extra "scare"
Iran wll not use a nuke, even if they had ~ONE~ because they know the USA would totally obliterate the country of Iran with a few dozen of OURS, they are not idiots.
"new intelligence report says ..."
This the SAME "Intelligence" that said Iraq had WMD's? the SAME one who lied and gave us nothing but bullkrap the last 4 years?
YUP!
But the greatest threat to the United States is the acquisiton of nuclear bombs from a nuclear-capable Iran -- either clandestinely or through open channels. We try to gain comfort by convincing ourselves that they lack the "delivery systems" to launch a nuclear strike, but thinking in terms of a bomber or missile strike is false logic -- no matter how much we try to guard our ports or seal points of entry, a terrorist group will have no problem breaching our borders. Once al Qaeda or other terrorist faction acquires a bomb from a nuclear-capable sponsor of terrorism such as Iran, the attack won't be matter of if, but when and where.
Aryan Nations National Director August Kreis writes (www.aryan-nations.org), "We as an organization will also endeavor to aid all those who subvert, disrupt and are (sic) malignant in nature to our enemies. Therefore I offer my most sincere best-wishes to those who wage holy Jihad against the infrastructure of the decadent, weak and Judaic-influenced societal infrastructure of the West. I send a message of thanks and well-wishes to the methods and works of groups on the Islamic front against the jew such as Al-Qaeda and Sheik Usama Bin Ladin, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and to all Jihadis worldwide who fight for the glory of the Khilafah and the downfall of the anti-life and anti-freedom System prevalent on this earth today.
Kreis continues by saying (sic), " I ask our Islamic fellow fighters against jewry to remember the co-operation between Mufti Haj Mohammad Amin al-Husseini and Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler during the last century and to remember that all that is of the past it is our duty to surpass!"
One of its stated objectives is, quite explicitly, to destroy us. At a large %u201CWorld Without Zionism%u201D conference recently in Tehran President Ahmadinejad stated that %u201Ca world without Zionism and America . . . . surely can be achieved.%u201D President Ahmadinejad%u2019s expressed view is that it is his mission to help bring about, by mass killings, conditions for the return of the Mahdi and thereafter the end of the world. The chief of strategy for Ahmadinejad, Hassan Abbassi, has said: %u201CWe have a strategy drawn up for the destruction of Anglo-Saxon civilization . . . we must make use of everything we have at hand to strike at this front by means of our suicide operations or means of our missiles. There are 29 sensitive sites in the U.S. and the West. We have already spied on these sites and we know how we are going to attack them. . . . Once we have defeated the Anglo-Saxons the rest will run for cover.%u201D
"The Israelis have long believed that Iran is closer than U.S. intelligence believes it is. If they now hear that the Americans think it's getting closer as well, it puts pressure on Israel to take its own action."
It looks like Israeli intelligence is more reliable and accurate than the US. Israel should go alone while we take care of Iraq.
What is scary is the George Bush and Company has the bomb. Here is a guy who is eager to kill people because he has bad dreams about what they might be able to do. Sort of a Cho kinda guy only with a bigger scope and a lot more notches in his killing machines.
I am so very indifferent to whether Iran will have the bomb in three years - assuming even that they want one -
Posted by CBS_Oliver
I fail to be impressed by your words. Given that your thinking about the republicans (as a threat nonetheless) as the cause and/or motivation for Iran to aquire weapons of mass destruction, it is plain to see that your thinking very shallow.
The history of the Islamic radicals aka Islamic orthodox movement goes back centuries. There is no reason to ignore history, it speaks far louder than your shallow words. It echoes with the voices of 150 million + humans who have died at the hands of these ayatollahs and sheiks who spend human life to spill blood to spread thier poison beliefs. It is without consequence to them that they are defeated, the will wait until they have this weapon of mass destruction, and use it. Every thing they can do to put off getting caught, they will. Every lie the tell to advance the cause of mohammad is allowed, they have no guilt to lie, cheat, or steal anything to achieve thier goals.
This is the face of the enemy. Beware the face of mohammad, while it may be pleasant to look upon, behind his back is a bloody knife.
There is no evidence to the contrary of this claim, so there is no reason to doubt it at the moment. I would like to see nuclear power abolished, but at the moment, the Iranians have the legal right to develop nuclear power, if they choose.
Besides that, the Bush regime has already wiped their collective arse with the 'nucoolar' NPT, so they have surrenderd any credibility in the matter.
Re: "Iran May Be Closer To Nukes Than Thought"
I would like to mark this article as exhibit 'D', in evidence of CBS News complicity in the fomentation and propaganda trumpeting of the coming illegal and suicidal war of aggression against Iran.
Israeli extremists and their collaborators/slaves are desperate for this attack. Can you hear the drums?
Excellent posts. Thanks for sharing.
Two years ago, our intelligence analysts issued a report that stated that, even under a worst-case scenario, Iran would not be able to manufacture a nuclear bomb for at least ten years (2015). Israel's analysis at that time had the date closer to 2010, which our CIA and military discounted as exaggerated and alarmist.
Now those same analysts have pushed their timetable forward five years so that it now corresponds to the previous Israeli assessment.
We are fast approaching the time when a nuclear Iran will be a fait accompli, and we will be faced with the constant, real threat of a state sponsor of international terrorism -- with a leadership that is committed to global jihad and has publicly sworn to annihilate Israel and the Western world -- in possession of nuclear weapons.
We wasted ten years on diplomatic maneuvering and dubious sanctions, all the time undermined by Russia and China. Soon, there will be no other recourse than military intervention, with a scenario a hundred times worse than if it had been done at the onset.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East right now with nukes. Israel has repeatedly shown disdain for the rule of law and for common decency.
Israel constantly threatens its neighbors, and continues its illegal and sickening occupation of land that does not belong to them. Earlier this week, they shot yet another peaceful demonstrator in the back with a rubber bullet, as she was attempting to help another injured person.
The Israelis regularly employ collective punishment, "human shields", and other terrorist tactics. Their President is defending himself against rape charges, and their Prime Minister enjoys a 20% approval rating.
There is no telling what the Likudnicks of the Israeli government might try at this point. They are clearly the biggest threat in the area at the moment, by far.
Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country, led by an unpopular military dictator, with nukes NOW. Pakistan is allegedly aiding Taliban forces. The top Pakistani Nuclear scientist, A. Q. Khan, sold/gave away sensitive nuclear technology to all comers, and walked away from it as a hero. 'No harm, no foul' was the reaction of the Bush regime.
Why would you possibly be more worried about Iran than you are about Pakistan? What about Russia or China for that matter?
Re: "We're headin' towards Armageddon, in my opinion."
Only in your twisted blood drenched dreams, 'singinrick'.
If it should come about, I hope that you are nearby. You'll know me if you see me. I will be the one pointing at you and laughing as you are "left behind".
Nice shot!
,, No more lies, -- General Petreaus says it all rests with the neighbors including Iran geting involved in Iraq.
Posted by singinrick at 10:03 PM : Apr 26, 2007
AGAIN you post lies... please show me exactly where he said "wiped off the map"... he NEVER said that... NEVER.. only you and your cohorts keep saying he did.. if you say it often enough, you'll convince some people he really said it.. I already showed you PROOF that he said no such thing.
WHY do you continue to LIE and LIE and LIE?
SOme christian YOU are... *** liar
Isreal should have never been on the map to begin with, as a Jewish state anyway ...... Jews should have returned to thier countries of origin to help with post war development, etc.
Re: "So then feelfree1, you do want Iran to have nuclear weapons."
I would like to see nuclear fusion projects abandoned altogether. It is way too costly, and far too dangerous, for far too long.
Unfortunately, under current law, Iran is within its legal rights to develop nuclear power facilities, and it is not really any of our business. There is zero evidence showing that they are attempting to do anything other than what they are claiming.
Israel, Pakistan, Russia, China- all actual, and current nuclear threats. The Iranians pose no significant Nuclear threat to the U.S. at this time, or any time soon. Israel should risk its own blodd and treasure, if they want to attack Iran so badly.
If we are dumb enough to attack Iran, we had better be prepared to donate o whole lot more blood and treasure to the effort.
The war-profiteers will have a wargasm when they hear the news.
I meant FISSION, not fusion.
If israels' neocon zionist katima/lukid leaders attack Iran preemptively - they will pay a heavy price for such a criminal action. Our "home-grown" zionists like wolfie, abrams, feith, cheney, rummie will also be guilty.
Our whole government and country would be implicated too and would incite even further attempts of terror.
For the last 40 yeras israel has murdered, stolen land, imprisoned, tortured, colonized - she has created Fatah, Hamas, Hezbollah by her agressive and inhuman actions - she has brought terrorism to OUR SHORES ! And we have been condoning this with billions each year and allowing our elected officials to become "zionist political prisoners"
This is unacceptable! This is madness !
As former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni argues, "The U.S. Jewish establishment's onslaught on former President Jimmy Carter is based on him daring to tell the truth which is known to all: through its army, the government of Israel practices a brutal form of Apartheid in the occupied territories. Its army has turned every Palestinian village and town into a fenced-in, or blocked-in, detention camp."
On June 9th the world will mark the 40th anniversary of Israel's oppressive military occupation of Palestine - the longest occupation in modern history. Yet the U.S. government continues to fund, support and even encourage Israel's policy of colonization, Apartheid, and imprisonment of the Palestinians.
Olmert: 'Mirror, mirror on the Apartheid wall...'Israel has turned Gaza and the West Bank into open-air prisons. Only Jewish people are allowed to live in Israeli settlements in the West Bank - housing that is highly subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer, at the rate of $500 million per year. Israel's intimidating wall, built on Palestinian land, separates Palestinians and their goods from Israelis, from the outside world, and, most perversely, from 100,000 other Palestinians living on the "wrong" side of the wall.
www.cnionline.org
Among a population of 2.5 million Palestinians on the West Bank, Israel has strategically placed nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers, supported by a vast network of settler-only bypass roads and military checkpoints that crisscross the territory, making a two-state solution to the conflict impossible. It is a simple grab for land and water.
The military and political domination of Palestinian Muslims and Christians by Israel's Jewish population could not continue without U.S. support, including $3 billion in annual military aid from U.S. taxpayers. Meanwhile, U.S.-imposed sanctions on the Palestinians have led to skyrocketing unemployment in the occupied territories. More than two-thirds of Palestinians now live in poverty. Such senseless sanctions on an entire people are a violation by the U.S. and Israel of the Geneva Convention's prohibition on collective punishment.
www.cnionline.org
There is no telling what the Likudnicks of the Israeli government might try at this point. They are clearly the biggest threat in the area at the moment, by far.
Posted by feelfree1
right you are - check out www.cnionline.org to find out more......
We're headin' towards Armageddon, in my opinion.
Posted by singinrick
Yeah, like you follow the "latter" teachings of Pat Robertson....and you're already living in Armageddon St. singindick
Posted by j-whitman
want to know more?
check out:
www.ifamericansknew.org &
www.cnionline.org
Posted by Sirus-good
exactly- and when there is a democratically elected palestinian government, israel & us gov. refuse to recognize it, then try to sink it !!!
check out:
www.ifamericansknew.org &
www.cnionline.org
ITS NOT GOING TO WORK THIS TIME, AIPAC, PNAC, KRISTOL, WOLFOWITZ, CHENEY, BUSH!
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