A new assessment by American intelligence agencies concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains on hold, contradicting an assessment two years ago that Tehran was working inexorably toward building a bomb.
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Concerns about Iran were raised sharply after President Bush had suggested in October that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to “World War III,” and Vice President Dick Cheney promised “serious consequences” if the government in Tehran did not abandon its nuclear program.
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The N.I.E. concludes that if Iran were to end the freeze of its weapons program, it would still be at least two years before Tehran would have enough highly enriched uranium to produce a nuclear bomb. But it says it is still “very unlikely” Iran could produce enough of the material by then.
Instead, today’s report concludes it is more likely Iran could have a bomb by the early part to the middle of the next decade.
As we learned from Iraq, you can't trust what the NIE says. Better invade just to be on the safe side. Right, Dick? 'Course, if Dick and RedRummy had their way in the 70's, Iran would already have nuclear capabilities, but that's another story.
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Perhaps Dambala can finally relax a little. Previous YRHT commentary here.
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Update: Kevin Drum (1,2,3) and Matthew Yglesias have more about this long-delayed report.
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Update #2: This NYT article says the Intelligence agencies had a "vivid exchange" with Cheney while they defended their report to him.
