Obama: What Iranian nuclear weapons program?

American.com ^ | 11-8-11 | Danielle Pletka

[Driftwood1]

Here’s what the IAEA had to say today about an Iranian nuclear weapons program:

The information indicates that Iran has carried out the following activities that are relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device:

• Efforts, some successful, to procure nuclear related and dual use equipment and materials by military related individuals and entities (Annex, Sections C.1 and C.2);

• Efforts to develop undeclared pathways for the production of nuclear material (Annex, Section C.3);

• The acquisition of nuclear weapons development information and documentation from a clandestine nuclear supply network (Annex, Section C.4); and

• Work on the development of an indigenous design of a nuclear weapon including the testing of components (Annex, Sections C.5–C.12).

While some of the activities identified in the Annex have civilian as well as military applications, others are specific to nuclear weapons.

The information indicates that prior to the end of 2003 the above activities took place under a structured programme. There are also indications that some activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device continued after 2003, and that some may still be ongoing.

Here’s what a “senior administration official” said in reaction:

The IAEA does not assert that Iran has resumed a full scale nuclear weapons program nor does it have a program about how advanced the programs really are.

[ClearCase_guy]

1) "Look, we have no grounds to do anything at all. They are a sovereign nation, not crazy and dangerous fanatics. You know, we don't even know if they have nuclear weapons."
2) "What's that? They just had a successful bomb test??"
3) "Look, we can't do anything. I mean, my God! They've got nuclear weapons! We can't antagonize these people, they're crazy and dangerous!"

Our foreign policy in a nutshell.

[Winstons Julia]

“The IAEA does not assert that Iran has resumed a full scale nuclear weapons program nor does it have a program about how advanced the programs really are.”

Can someone who speaks “absolutely nothing at all” translate this for me?

[Gator113]

I think it’s an unknown, unknowable.

Or, it’s an unknown, because of the unknowable.

Oh heck, I don’t know what you don’t know about their unknowable unknowns.

[Winstons Julia]

I know, right?

[combat_boots]

Rummy is Da Man

[Gator113]

Maybe, but I don’t know. ;>)

[Gator113]

Yes, he certainly is.....