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Last update - 22:15 05/02/2008
In about turn, U.S. says Iran may be able to make nukes by 2009
By Amir Oren, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: United States 

The head of American intelligence said Tuesday that it is unclear whether Tehran has returned to its production of nuclear weapons in the past six months, and warned that Iran "would be technically capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium for a weapon" by the end of next year.

Speaking two months after an American intelligence report cast doubt on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, National Intelligence Director John Michael McConnell made his remarks during an appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee to present an annual report on threats to the U.S.

A National Intelligence Estimate report released in December said that Iran halted its nuclear weapons development program in the fall of 2003.
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"We remain concerned about Iran's intentions and assess with moderate-to-high confidence that Tehran at a minimum is keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons," the report said.

"We assess with high confidence that Iran has the scientific, technical and industrial capacity eventually to produce nuclear weapons," it said, adding that the only realistic way to prevent Iran from producing such weapons was "an Iranian political decision to abandon a nuclear weapons objective."

McConnell expressed skepticism at the ability of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement to deliver security for Israel and to overcome Hamas' efforts to stymie the political process.

He said that despite pressures on Hamas, "the group remains fairly unified, especially its military wing, and in charge in the Gaza Strip where itcontrols all PA facilities. Hamas continues to curtail freedoms and to harass Fatah members."

McConnell said however, that the U.S. recognizes signs of Fatah's progress in the West Bank, praising "renewed security and law enforcement cooperation with Israeli forces in taking more effective action against Hamas."

There was no mention in the report of the Israel Air Force attack on Syria in September 2007, which foreign news sources have speculated was a strike on a nuclear facility built with North Korean assistance. He said, however, that North Korea, which has sold ballistic missiles to Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, could "proliferate nuclear weapons abroad."

The intelligence chief also estimated that Iran and Syria will boost their support for Hezbollah, Hamas and other Palestinian terror organizations. He accused Syria and Hezbollah of interfering with the Lebanese presidential elections.

He warned that rising tensions in Lebanon could result in a fresh civil war, and the return to armed "militias" within the country.

"Many former militias in Lebanon are reconstituting, rearming, and retraining their fighters," he said. "The increased political and sectarian tension also raises the potential for civil war within the country."

In addition, McConnell raised the threat of Al-Qaida in Lebanon, maintaining it continues to threaten the country's internal security.

Related articles:
  • U.S.: Iran halted nuclear weapons development in 2003
  • Olmert: Nuke report on Iran shows need for tighter Iran sanctions
  • Chronology of Iran's nuclear program
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      1.   take out iranian, syrian, hizzy and hamas militaries now. 20:31  |  frenz 05/02/08
      2.   frenz 20:37  |  USA 05/02/08
      3.   Whatever! 20:42  |  ME 05/02/08
      4.   They Dont Have Nukes 20:45  |  Phil 05/02/08
      5.   More outrageous phooey 20:47  |  Clickfool 05/02/08
      6.   He would Know 20:55  |  Ali 05/02/08
      7.   Clickfool 21:03  |  David 05/02/08
      8.   NUKES USELESS 21:13  |  WAEL 05/02/08
      9.   usa # 2 21:20  |  frenz 05/02/08
      10.   "since the US is the one rearming these groups" I agree 21:26  |  Sami Abdul 05/02/08
      11.   Clickfool 21:39  |  Mike M 05/02/08
      12.   Clickfool 21:41  |  Phil 05/02/08
      13.   Seems the boys at NI can`t get there act together... 21:41  |  Pssd off American. 05/02/08
      14.   If I were Iranian I would move far, far away from all 14 plants 21:44  |  Karl 05/02/08
      15.   By Unclear, I Must Assume The US is Lying Again Just like Iraq 21:48  |  Lev Bronstein 05/02/08
      16.   Pretty Bleak 22:11  |  Ron 05/02/08
      17.   each year moved by 3 years ahead 22:13  |  Joey 05/02/08
      18.   Returning to the scene of the crime 22:14  |  Natallie Durson 05/02/08
      19.   Many U.S. voters are worried about Iran. 22:23  |  Stephen. 05/02/08
      20.   same lies, different outcome 22:24  |  end-times 05/02/08
      21.   Could it be possible 22:36  |  Yonatan 05/02/08
      22.   Nuclear proliferation 22:46  |  Alan MacDonald 05/02/08
      23.   19. "Could it be possible" 22:54  |  end-times 05/02/08
      24.   How refreshing! 22:56  |  tadchase 05/02/08
      25.   #18 Natallie 23:00  |  Lavi 05/02/08
      26.   Will Bush finally hit Iran now? 23:06  |  David 05/02/08
      27.   Lavi #18 23:17  |  Jane 05/02/08
      28.   Iran nukes 23:23  |  John 05/02/08
      29.   For Clickfool # 7 23:36  |  Mireya Siquieiros 05/02/08
      30.   Look, a lukewarm declaration and antisemites are up the wall !s 23:38  |  Franz 05/02/08
      31.   # 26, No way 23:51  |  Kader 05/02/08
      32.   For Karl in Himmelreich, Germany 23:57  |  Fortuna Benmayor 05/02/08
      33.   This Makes No Sense! 00:01  |  Paulo 06/02/08
      34.   #5 Clickfool. "What can this possibly mean?" 00:20  |  Maureen Ann 06/02/08
      35.   For David # 7 00:21  |  Clickfool 06/02/08
      36.   For Phil # 12 00:24  |  Clickfool 06/02/08
      37.   To David in London #7 00:27  |  Mark B. 06/02/08
      38.   #26 David----"NO"!!! 00:34  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      39.   To David # 26: Yes He Will, Yes We Can. 00:35  |  Anup 06/02/08
      40.   #19 Stephen 00:37  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      41.   #20 Ouch end times!! 00:38  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      42.   When the Reactors are Hot they will Shower Iran with Radiation 00:44  |  Efox 06/02/08
      43.   To the people of Israel 00:47  |  Angel from above 06/02/08
      44.   Seems US Intelligence has been `leant on`! 00:54  |  Chanalau, Tova 06/02/08
      45.   #7 David "YES"!! 01:04  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      46.   #21 Yonaton 01:05  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      47.   #15 Mr. Bronstein 01:06  |  ballistic 06/02/08
      48.   #12 Mike M - Wrong. Iran IS cooperating with the IAEA 01:25  |  Pablo B 06/02/08
      49.   #13 Karl - why bomb sites KNOWN not to be used for nukes? 01:32  |  Pablo B 06/02/08
      50.   Joey - they started long before that. 01:34  |  Pablo B 06/02/08
      51.   #25 Lavi - You mean like the Soviet Union? China? 01:41  |  Pablo B 06/02/08
      52.   This guy 01:41  |  JJ 06/02/08
      53.   NI Director John Michael McConnell is a political hack 01:52  |  Pablo B 06/02/08
      54.   situation is becoming complicated 01:53  |  Joey 06/02/08
      55.   What a load of garbage 02:18  |  Gee 06/02/08
      56.   Iran is a sovereing country & has the right to develop its own 02:39  |  lakshmi 06/02/08
      57.   Iran have already developed nuke weapons.. 03:17  |  Martin Wallace 06/02/08
      58.   This guy is laughable.... 08:13  |  Johnboy 06/02/08
      59.   den of thieves at it again. 19:10  |  bozhidar bob balkas 06/02/08
      60.   Nukes! 21:28  |  Allah 07/02/08
      61.   In about turn, U.S. says Iran may be able to make nukes by 2009 21:22  |  Romeo 11/02/08
      62.   Now What? 23:21  |  Yuri 27/02/08
      63.   Haaretz, please show me the quote, 23:41  |  Persian CAT 27/02/08
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