MI chief: Iran has enough nuclear material for bomb

But there is no other use for a UD3 neutron initiator.

You get 10/10 for that. Only problem is I was addressing Mark and his oil well assertion. I wasn't vouching for the validity of the Times article. So for relevance to my post you get 0/10

UD3 can be used to make Heavy Water. The Canadians are building nuclear trigger. Right? http://wp.me/pDB7k-lt Well, no, they're experimenting with UD3 for commercial purposes....

FF: "Palestinians, due to some back-room arm-twisting by the Arab-Block and other countries that vote alongside them were able to convince the UN to set up an *entirely* separate agency JUST for the Palestinians, the UNWRA." Did it ever occur to you that this situation was unique precisely because the Partition Plan came *from* the UN, and so the UN felt a particular responsibility towards the plight of these refugees. The UNGA was rather pissed off about the expression of contempt from Israel towards its plan - you know, grabbing twice as much territory and making it as Arab-free as the Haganah could manage. So the UN aren't willing to let Israel off the hook, even today. After all, the UN considers that there are 8.5 billion refugees worldwide, and over 4.5 billion of them are Palestinians.

"The document revealed in The Times report described the use of a neutron source, uranium deuteride, which experts said had no possible use other than in a nuclear weapon." Untrue: it makes no mention of the *use* of UD3 at all. What the Iranian report does is mention ONCE that research is needed into using TiD2 as a replacement (???) to avoiding contamination (???) during the "production of UD3". But nowhere does it mention that UD3 PRODUCTION is actually taking place, let alone that it is being produced in order to make a "UD3 neutron initiator". You may want to argue that "UD3" has no other use *but* as the central component in a "UD3 neutron initiator". Fine, argue away. But such arguments are CONJECTURE, because the Iranian document itself does not make any reference to "UD3 neutron initiator". Indeed, the phrase "neutron initiator" is not mentioned at all..

PW: "Mark Lincoln think Uranium Deuteride Neutron Inititiators are used in oil wells. They`re not. They are only used in nuclear weapons." That may well be so, but mention of "UD3 Neutron Inititiators" has been plucked out of thin air, because it is nowhere mentioned in that Iranian document. That document mentions research into using "TiD2" as a replacement (huh?) for avoiding contamination (huh?) during the "production of UD3". But nowhere did it state a) that Iran was planning to shove "UD3" inside "Neutron Inititiators" b) that "production of UD3" was underway c) that "production of UD3" was imminent d) that "production of UD3" had even been decided upon. So I'm afraid your only source for "Iranian-designs for a UD3 Neutron Inititiator" is CONJECTURE on the part of that Times correspondent. Oh, yeah, and your own pontification....

Once something goes through the ziofier....

"They are only used in nuclear weapons" 'fraid not. UD3 can be used to store and regenerate D2 gas. UD3 can be used to make Heavy Water. The Iranian experiments described in the times article almost the same as Canadian experiments exploring ways of using UD3 for COMMERCIAL purposes. http://wp.me/pDB7k-lt

Stephan, the "argument" you make is *exactly*, *precisely* the argument that is RIGHTLY made against the UNWRA -- that would be the ONLY UN agency period devoted to the cause for one singular people: the Palestinians. ALL other poor slobs who are refugees in the world must go to the "other" agency that is for literally EVERY other people in the world who has a major problem, the UNHCR. They, it turns out, to a hell of a job given the highly limited resources they have. Palestinians, due to some back-room arm-twisting by the Arab-Block and other countries that vote alongside them were able to convince the UN to set up an *entirely* separate agency JUST for the Palestinians, the UNWRA. Lucky Palestinians, eh? Well, when you actually look in to it, not so much. First off, as you mention, all the workers for the UNWRA are single minded to keep their jobs and to keep the situation "the same". And that means to feed and clothe every Palestinian there is. (Continued...)

We know that Iran did a very preliminary investigation in the late 1980s, and very early 1990s. We also know that they seem to have entertained the idea of a bomb project during 2002-3 when Bush was on his rampage of conquest and threatening to conquer Iran after Iraq. We know that Iran is pursuing the essential industrial ability. And we know that Iran is still refusing to return to the Additional Protocols. Have they made a decision to create nuclear weapons? There is no evidence that shows that. There is the distinct possibility they are working towards a Break Out capability.

"Iran,could never nuke Israel...The path is so broken! They would destroy egypt out of context!" Oh horrors! Do you suppose Israel might take Iran out of context?

a neutron initiator, the component which triggers the explosion in a nuclear weapon. The enriched uranium makes it go "big boom". Think before you speak.

The problem with your theory is that it involves playing for high stakes. You are asking Israel to sit back and wait and let events take care of themselves. Well sometimes events don't take care of themselves. Sometimes revolutions are brutally crushed. Who is to say what will happen here? Who is to say the mullah's will be able to hang onto power after their country is decimated?

Mark Lincoln think Uranium Deuteride Neutron Inititiators are used in oil wells. They're not. They are only used in nuclear weapons.

The '500,000 casualty' figure dates to a decade after the war. The US had a great deal of experience fighting the Japanese and our planning for Olympic and Coronet (based upon 'Iceberg', the invasion of Okinawa) was for under 100,000 casualties. The silly debate over whether or not we should have 'dropped the bomb' is a post-war, and cold-war event. The fact was that Japan had started the war, we had built the bomb, and we were going to nuke them. There was very little debate about using the bomb, and it would have taken a decision to NOT drop it. That people have continued to spin the facts to suit their sides in what became an argument over the 'morality' of nuclear war just shows the power of propaganda over fact.

All bla bla from our security mafia. What would Isreal be without all these threats of her existence. We have tent of housands of wise men to find the threats. And they will find them because without them they will not have their very well paid jobs and pensions (and other benefits). This is Israels biggest industry; the army (as officers after army maybe Rafael or if better connected the knesset), Beit Sinn, Mossad, Shabak, Police and the security guy at the doors of shops. Specialy the ones who come into the knesset because who do they look after: the army and the security industry WHY PEACE ???????? If we had peace; at least 50% of these people could go home and say goodbye to their well paid jobs. So they will find threats what ever it takes. Think what we could do with the money; better social system, better education (future of Israel) ect. But NO, we will spend every year more and more money on this security industry

..if not more. With all due respect, the fact that Israel is powerful could very well spell survival of the regime in the face of what's going on. The domestic situation has eroded so much that people are hoping to celebrate the Persian New Year under a secular democracy. I mentioned Dec 7th demos to you and since then, every day has been tumultuous in universities all over Iran. Every tactic the regime used, backfired. Moharram is starting in Iran which is huge in shia sect. The Greens are going to use to use Ahura/Tasua for their biggest demos against the regime. It woud be a classic poetic justice if that would be he last wave against the regime! The military has already announced its siding with the Greens. Meanwhile the silence of the west, particularly US, on the human rights abuses is deafening. Here's an example of just one of the campaigns agaisnt the regime: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/14/iran.headscarf.protest/index.html

Iran,could never nuke Israel...The path is so broken!They would destroy egypt out of context!

You say : "No nation in the midle East should have an A-Bomb". I'd like to knowwhy just the Middle East ? Why not ANYWHERE in the world ?

My assessment: Khamenei has made up his mind to toughen his stance against the west in hopes of crippling sanctions and even better(for him) an attack so he can consolidate his power and scrap some legitimacy. Implementing sanctions is a terrible idea, the IRGC is already a thriving force economically (and politically) and sanctions would only strengthen them & their partners and hurt the ordinary people. They would jeopardize privatization of state enterprises as they would empower the guards in sidelining private competitors. What is more, the sanctions WOULD NOT turn the people more against the gov than they already are but will undermine their opposition movement and their voracity for liberation. Khamenei's best wish for now is an attack on the country-no matter where. That's the ace that will rally the people around the gov and his free hand in the utmost quash of any dissent. I guarantee you that an attack would keep this regime in power for at least the next 10 years....

It's about how many Palestinian sacrifices Israel is willing to make on the way to Greater Israel. One a day for twenty years and counting. Who's next?

So you think it's OK for the USA to bomb China, Iraq and Afghanistan?

The USA bombing of Japan was to actually save the lives of about 500 thousend expected allied casualties and about 1-2 million japanese casualties if there was to be an invasion.The bombing cost meny lives in japan and was extremely unfortunate .The other choice was more horendouse .

seeing as Iran has uranium deposits. Of course, the thing is, none of it is in a form that is usable for such a bomb, so the announcement is like saying that Israel has enough material to create a black-hole bomb. It is funny that the same government that screams that unless absolute proof is offered, any concerns about it are the result of peoples hatred turns about and screams for action against another country based on its hatred of that government, and offers up what it would insist was inadequate information (if it was about Israel) to back its call for action.

steve, japan did not surrender after hiroshima, and based on studies at he time, to invade japan would have meant at least a million casualties..sorry, but both hiroshima and nagasaki were moral and good decisions. If america was a colonial beast, they would not have helped japan and germany to recover as they did...thank god for america! the real scum are the europeans..little cry babies after they were rescued by america! as for other stupid comments, it's not about civilian energy.. and as for israels nukes, they needed them as a deterrent, and have been responsible with them for near 50 yrs..something the arabs will never be able to guarantee...all those thinking if israel has them then others should have them are disingenous, for surely you know there is a civilizational and cultural difference between arab countries and israel...if you think iran having nukes won't affect countries other than israel, your either lying, nuts or highly anti semitic.

What H from London fails to mention of course is that Imperial Japan refused to surrender even after Hiroshima. Nagasaki saved the US from having to invade Japan, preventing thousands of US casualties. I would expect someone from the UK, having been bombed relentlessly by Nazi Germany and close to losing control of their country to have a better understanding of WWII.

Iran has not signed the Addional Protocol, so it is in its right not to abide with that. By a similar logic, Israel has not signed the NPT, so they are allowed to have nuclear weapons. You can't have it both ways. If Israel is not bound by treaties it did not sign, neither is Iran.

"No nation in the middle east should have an A-bomb" OK Hiroshima you could argue but Nagasaki? and who used it? Why it was America, land of the Free. Free to base troops in 150 countries, free to bomb Vietnam with Napalm, free to bomb Iraq, free to bomb Afghanistan....all for Freedom and Democracy?

"No nation in the middle east should have an A-bomb" OK Hiroshima you could argue but Nagasaki? and who used it? Why it was America, land of the Free. Free to base troops in 150 countries, free to bomb Vietnam with Napalm, free to bomb Iraq, free to bomb Afghanistan....all for Freedom and Democracy?

It will be entirely up to the regime to make its political decision. Detonating a nuclear device would not only cause worldwide consternation, it would without a doubt place the regime in an intolerable position whereby Israel may well react. There are those they may well celebrate said detonation, whilst the majority of good people in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula will run for cover. For a nuclear armed theocracy will no doubt be used against is enemies both politically and quite well literally. Israel has been well prepared for such an event. Good day.

Assuming Yadlin is right then Netanyahu's credibility is more on the line than over anything else. He said "We will never accept a nuclear Iran". It won't be sufficient an excuse to say that US would not agree to our taking military action...even if it was to protect our existence.

All nations hould have access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, not just Israel. No nation in the midle East should have an A-Bomb

What an incredible surprise! Israel's MI chief thinks Iran may have enough material for a bomb - gasp! it like Goerge Bush saying Saddam had WMD. It wouldn't, nay, couldn't be that Israel are a little bit biased toward their own ends? Could it be just a little hypocritical that Israel, a dangerous nucleur power, want to scare monger and make a case for a unilateral strike now Bush has gone. When will the world wake up to Israel for goodness' sake?

The claim is that the infrastructure and components are in place to put a bomb together, not that those components are being put together. Or are they?

Iran has gained parity with Israel. Who should change their defence posture to mutually assured destruction. Never did believe that it was possible for Israel to prevent Iran achieving parity, and I don't think the politicians in Israel did either. Hence the concentration on the Arrow anti missile defence system.

It is simply impossible to build a bomb with 4% enriched Uranium. A point which the warmongering MI chief does not bother to explain. He is counting upon people being ignorant of the physics of fission.