Obama rejects NIE, sees Iranian nuclear weapon program

by Steven J. Rosen  •  Feb 12, 2009 at 11:31 am

http://www.meforum.org/blog/obama-mideast-monitor/2009/02/obama-rejects-nie-sees-iranian-nuclear-weapon-program

Recent statements by members of the Obama team affirm that there is no question that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon.

"In his news conference this week, President Obama went so far as to describe Iran's 'development of a nuclear weapon' before correcting himself to refer to its 'pursuit' of weapons capability. Obama's nominee to serve as CIA director, Leon E. Panetta, left little doubt about his view last week when he testified on Capitol Hill. 'From all the information I've seen,' Panetta said, 'I think there is no question that they are seeking that capability.'...U.S. officials now discount a National Intelligence Estimate issued in November 2007 that was instrumental in derailing U.S. and European efforts to pressure Iran to shut down its nuclear program.... There was growing consensus that it provided a misleading picture and that the country was poised to reach crucial bomb-making milestones this year.

Related Topics:  Steven J. Rosen receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free mef mailing list This text may be reposted or forwarded so long as it is presented as an integral whole with complete information provided about its author, date, place of publication, and original URL.