Iran Stopped Work on Nukes?

By Charlie

...in 2003:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 — A new assessment by American intelligence agencies concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains frozen, contradicting judgment two years ago that Tehran was working relentlessly toward building a nuclear bomb.
The conclusions of the new assessment are likely to reshape the final year of the Bush administration, which has made halting Iran’s nuclear program a cornerstone of its foreign policy.

If the report is correct, it is good news. HOWEVER, Iran continues to pursue civilian nuclear power programs, which could easily be construed as dual-use technology. When Iran gets its civilian nuclear plants on line, how long will it be until they test their first weapon?

Also, the report indicated that Iran did have a covert weapons program –against its stated agreements- but shut it down in 2003. So Iran lied once, and now has stopped lying, allegedly.

The US has consistently underestimated the development of nuclear weapons in foreign countries (Pakistan’s bomb was missed). Trusting Ahmedinijad at this point, seems like a risky move.

December 4, 2007 07:46 AM Iran

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Comments

Yeah, right. It will "reshape the final year of the Bush administration." Nah. The work that needs to be done will continue...

bullnav · December 4, 2007 08:38 AM

well, the good news that is being ignored by the MSM is that Iran stopped it's militarized nuclear program when? in 2003, AFTER we got rid of Saddam... Just like Libya... I guess the war does resolve something...
As for the rest of the report, first, if Iran stopped in 2003 and we are getting this info verified now in 2007, almost 2008, our intel is at least 5 years old and we need to be trice concerned with what Iran is doing now; second, even if we take their assessment of 2010 as the year of Iran's great achievement to be based on the current intel, it's just 2 short years away, no reason to relax and celebrate here; the third, just ask any arab or turk, you NEVER trust a persian...

olga · December 4, 2007 07:41 PM

Great commentary Olga on the stupidity of the MSM. I'm sure the popping of corks of champagne by the iranian dictatorship and the left of America and abroad (for different reasons of course) are occurring as we speak. I see the foaming of mouths saying 'Bush did this', 'Bush's fault', and 'Bush failure' at least 1000 times over the next year given the election.
So when, not if, the dictatorship of Iran obtains a nuclear weapon(s), which will probably known as the Islamic bomb part deux, then the following action should occur...

There was a concept of mutually assured destruction in the cold war. Iran wants to destroy Israel and dominate the Arab states in the region. They plan to do this with their bomb or little arsenal of bombs to implement this policy.
So, we should form a mutally assured destruction pact with our arab allies and israel. If that madman in Iran decides to use a nuclear weapon against our allies or us, then Iran will pay the ultimate price. Who will win this contest? It will not be Iran. This should be very clear, but we unfortunately act like sissies at times on the world stage and do not make clear the power we have to defend our nation and allies. It is as if the militant islamic regime who oppresses iran has the equivalent power as the United States. I don't think so.
The clowns in the media portray it so.

Seg · December 4, 2007 10:29 PM

again,

The puff piece on a given MSM site (CNN) makes clear to those of us with KNOWLEDGE that i-ran is still in the busines of nuke makng. ("The puff proves".)

I'm not moting, just sayin...

NonPC MC Dad · December 4, 2007 11:18 PM

Best regards!
Impressive.

Vance Kinney · December 5, 2007 01:30 AM

At this point, Iran doesn't need a Nuclear Weapon. They are defeating us quite expertly through international diplomacy and the media. Yeah, it's nutty as heck, but it seems to be working. They are making us look stupid in the eyes of our allies, and that is good news for them in the long run.

Lawrence · December 5, 2007 06:50 AM

Remember it was the Persians who invented Chess.
Lawrence you are right on the money.
The checkmate is on!

mustang · December 5, 2007 07:33 AM

1. USA is NOT going to attack Iran between now and the elections.
2. If Iran is attacked it will be by Israel.
3. Bush blinked, Iran rejoiced and israel just died.
Iraq is a win, Afganistan is still in play and Iran won her atom bombs.

Barry0351 · December 6, 2007 10:01 AM