Posted on 02/24/2012 7:35:14 AM PST by gandalftb
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A highly classified U.S. intelligence assessment circulated to policymakers early last year largely affirms that view, originally made in 2007.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.
Senior U.S. officials say Israel does not dispute the basic intelligence or analysis.
It is not known precisely what other technical hurdles Iran would have to overcome, but Albright and many other experts believe that if it decides to proceed, the country has the scientific knowledge to design and build a crude working bomb in as little as a year. It would take as long as three years, Albright estimated, for Iran to build a warhead small enough to fit on a ballistic missile.
Albright said a push by Iran to build a nuclear weapon probably would be detected.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
PM: IAEA Report Shows ‘We Are Right on Iran’
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/153132
Will the US unilaterally ignore the IAEA? Is Obama some cowboy off on a tear of his own?
We are stuck with the bureaucratic IAEA and their host, the UN.
They are a competent inspection org as long as Iran let’s them inspect what they want, where they want.
What Ir an does is wait for the IAEA inspectors to show up and find out where they want to inspect.
If it’s a surprise to the Iranians, like wanting to look over Parchin, the Iranians automatically refuse, the inspectors go away, months of negotiations ensue.
Iran hides all the problem programs at Parchin, shoos away all the N Korean and Russian techs, then invites the IAEA back after the site has been sanitized.
Constant shell game, Iranian style. That’s why we’re putting our money on satellites and elint. The Mossad and MEK pay for humint and we piece together their progress.
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