National Intelligence Estimate: Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003

[Sertes]

The Director of National Intelligence just released an Estimate report (NIE) pertaining the nuclear weapons program in Iran. The office coordinates all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, and its findings now replace the previous (2005) claims.
Two the main findings:

1) NIE judge with high confidence that in fall 2003 Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program and that the halt lasted at least several years. NIE is also moderately confident that the nuclear weapons program had not restarted as of mid 2007, and that the halt was directed primarily in response to increasing international scrutiny and pressure.

2) NIE judge the earliest possible date Iran could be technically capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium (HEU) for a weapon is late 2009, and even that is very unlikely. Iran could be technically capable of producing enough HEU for a weapon sometime during the 2010-2015 time frame. (Bureau of Intelligence and Research judges that it would be unlikely before 2013 because of foreseeable technical and programmatic problems.)

You can read the original here:
http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20...terstitialskip

[retiredman]

well...that would mean that the Bush administration has been bullshitting us!

now THAT'S a shocker!

[Hagbard Celine]

In other words, we need to be talking to Tehran instead of diplomatically snubbing them.

[retiredman]

In other words, we need to be talking to Tehran instead of diplomatically snubbing them.

we need to be ready and willing to do that to EVERY nation on the planet.

[Hagbard Celine]

we need to be ready and willing to do that to EVERY nation on the planet.

No-sh*t. Tell that to Dubya.

[Mr. P]

Link not working for me...

[Sertes]

Link not working for me...

try this alternative link: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalra...port-iran.html (click on the link HERE in the page)

[Nukeman]

But, But, Wait how can you halt something you never started in the first place. I thought Tehran said they NEVER had or intended to have a nuclear weapons program.

How is possible to stop something you never supposedly started in the first place???? Just a question.......

[Monkeybone]

maybe they stopped it cus they are finished already! and no they are just enriching to make them stronger...or....or...or....someone else is doing it for them! so then technically it's not them...or...or....they will just buy them straight out from other countries so that way they don't have to waste money on research!

[Gaffer]

This is the same agency that said saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Now they are saying iran isn't doing what they thought they were doing. Why do I get the feeling someone is playing politics here. Nothing to see here folks, move along, it's only swamp gas.

Nothing has changed. iran is still the largest supporter of terror organizations in the world. They are still building weapons systems to deliver nuclear war heads. They want to control the ME and establish their caliphate. They are still imprisoning and executing thousands. But just like social security it's nothing to worry about right now. Maybe a few years down the road.

[avatar4321]

You guys have it all wrong. This means Bush was right. His policies in invading Iraq back in 2003 have convinced Libya to quit their program and now Iran has postponed their program.

President Bush's aggressive pressure policies have been effective.

However, do keep in mind that the report says this is a temporary stopping to the Iranian program. My guess is they will restart it in 2009.

[Hagbard Celine]

This is the same agency that said saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Now they are saying iran isn't doing what they thought they were doing. Why do I get the feeling someone is playing politics here. Nothing to see here folks, move along, it's only swamp gas.

Nothing has changed. iran is still the largest supporter of terror organizations in the world. They are still building weapons systems to deliver nuclear war heads. They want to control the ME and establish their caliphate. They are still imprisoning and executing thousands. But just like social security it's nothing to worry about right now. Maybe a few years down the road.

Actually, it's our Saudi "brothers" who are the biggest supporters of terrorist organizations.

[retiredman]

This is the same agency that said saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Now they are saying iran isn't doing what they thought they were doing. Why do I get the feeling someone is playing politics here. Nothing to see here folks, move along, it's only swamp gas.

Nothing has changed. iran is still the largest supporter of terror organizations in the world. They are still building weapons systems to deliver nuclear war heads. They want to control the ME and establish their caliphate. They are still imprisoning and executing thousands. But just like social security it's nothing to worry about right now. Maybe a few years down the road.

this is not "an agency". The NIE is the consensus of all of our country's intelligence gathering organizations.... and, by the way, they ALL work for Bush.

and I don't think that there is any literature to suggest that persian shiites are interested in re-establishing the caliphate, in any case. That is a wahabbist pipedream.

[Sertes]

But, But, Wait how can you halt something you never started in the first place. I thought Tehran said they NEVER had or intended to have a nuclear weapons program.

How is possible to stop something you never supposedly started in the first place???? Just a question.......

Yep, the NIE tell us they STOPPED it in 2003 and it was still stopped in mid 2007 and there's no way it can produce weapon grade uranium until late 2009 even if they resume the program.
Sure, it stopped an ongoing program and so Iran is no virgin, to the same extent it's no nuclear power threatning neighbors as the current administration claims it to be.

[Mr. P]

well...that would mean that the Bush administration has been bullshitting us!

now THAT'S a shocker!

Ahhhh well...no. Nice try, pfftttt not.

President Bush was told in August or September that "new information" with Iran's nuclear program could be coming out but the president was only informed last Wednesday that the nuclear weapons program in Iran was halted in 2003.