Is
Iran really a nuclear threat?
As certain American and Israeli politicians and some elements of the news media continue to sound the drumbeat for an invasion of Iran, more and more worldwide intelligence indicates that claims of an Iranian nuclear threat may be more rhetoric than substance. Reports and statements from U.S. and Israeli Intelligence agencies as well as the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) paint a significantly different picture than what Americans are fed through some national news media reports. Before considering why there is such a difference we must first understand what the differences are:
U.S. Intelligence:
"Iran halted its nuclear program in 2003"
In spite of all the hype from certain media outlets and a few politicians about Iran building nuclear weapons, U.S. Intelligence and defense agencies unanimously agree that Iran halted its nuclear program in 2003 and has not attempted to build a nuclear weapon since. Here are the facts:
1.
The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate
(NIE) which represents a consolidated report from 17 U.S. Intelligence
agencies concluded: "We judge with high confidence that in fall of 2003,
Iran halted its nuclear weapons program"
2. The 2010 National Intelligence Estimate, the most recent one conducted, confirmed that Iran has not restarted its program and is still not trying to make nuclear weapons
3.
On the January 8 th Face the
Nation broadcast, Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, was asked about the Iranian
nuclear intent. He stated flatly: "Are they trying to make a nuclear weapon?
No"
The 2007 NIE and subsequent
material conclude that Iran's decision to abandon nuclear arms was not a
political decision but a direction derived primarily from a rational cost
benefit basis.
2007 NIE: http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20071203_release.pdf
IAEA: "The [uranium
enrichment] facility has operated as
declared by Iran"
One of the key areas
of media and political rhetoric involves claims that Iran is enriching uranium
to use for nuclear weapons. However, the facts about uranium enrichment and reports
from the IAEA about Iran's current program present a different story. Here are
some key points that are rarely mentioned during the rhetoric:
-
The
creation of nuclear weapons requires tons of uranium enriched to a 90%
composition level
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