US Official: Iran Not Close to ‘Breakout’ Capability on Nuclear Weapons
Insists Iran Undecided on Actually Making One
Speaking today at a conference, State Department special adviser Robert Einhorn, insisted that Iran was nowhere close to “breakout capability” for the production of a single nuclear weapon, though he insisted he believed Iran would like to reach that capability at some future point.
At the same time, Einhorn also conceded that he had no idea if Iran had even made any political decision related to making a nuclear weapon and speculated that the nation, which has repeatedly ruled out creating such weapons, is “undecided” and the leadership is “divided” on the scheme.
Einhorn added to this that the international sanctions against Iran are “taking a big toll” and chided Iran for not being willing to negotiate seriously. Which must eventually give rise to the question of what the negotiations are supposed to be about.
The US continues to demand Iran halt its civilian nuclear program, but the demand seems particularly ridiculous couched in the terms Einhorn presented today, of a government nowhere close to acquiring nuclear weapons and at best “undecided” on the prospect.
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MoT
March 9th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Wasn't there a "deal" brokered by Brazil and Turkey that in effect was exactly what Uncle Scam demanded at first but threw the typical hissy fit with their typically Indian giving tactics?
popsiq
March 10th, 2011 at 4:42 am
Well Einhorn certainly doesn't help maintain the narrative, does he? Just when the IAEA starts making the right noises, along come the boy scouts to help.
But considering where the bozos have taken the world with their paranoid BS, America could use many more such Americans.
burkeman1
March 10th, 2011 at 6:44 am
Does anyone but the most idiotic of flag waving trailer park bozos believe anything a reptile like Einhorn has to say on Iran? I mean seriously? The US government tortures people. Anyone who trusts anything out of the Mouth of a Fed official – especially on issues of war which is how DC makes its money- is a complete moron.
John_Muhammad
March 10th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Yes, but since someone else stole BHO's thunder the whole thing got torpedoed. Too bad- this whole issue might have been resolved by now.
John_Muhammad
March 10th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I get a sneaky feeling that Einhorn will be told very soon that if he just suddenly has an urge to resign and disappear to private life his resignation it will be accepted and processed immediately.
Aarky
March 10th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Did you bother to read this article? If you did, you would realize that Einhorn is saying just about the opposite of what the official State Department line is; whatever IAPAC and the Israeli Ambassador hand them as their talking points.
Aarky
March 10th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Einhorn must feel quite like the former head of Mossad, who as far back as June, 2009 stated that Iran would not have a nuclear weapon before 2014. After he retired just a few months agoi he repeated his statement. Netanyahu derisively discounted the knowledge and said it was only an opinion. The US State Department has been parroting the Likkudnik line and also ignoring the considered opinions of the US Intelligence community. This is a very dangerous game that is being played.
burkeman1
March 11th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Yeah- I read the article and this clown seems to be on the "let's wait and bomb Iran when it is more politically feasible" team. I don't want it anymore from these assholes and they deserve no credit- NONE- for this. I will only give credit to a US official when they say one thing- WE are Fucking liars and US policy towards IRan has been a lie. This guy doesn't say that. He is just playing games. I don't think more pragmatic warmongers deserve any credit. You do? Fine.