Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday that Iran is enriching uranium in a peaceful nuclear program but that Tehran has not decided to develop an atomic bomb.
Top U.S. military and intelligence officials gave separate testimonies in congressional hearings on Thursday regarding Iran, and while they all reiterated the consensus that Iran’s nuclear program is purely civilian in nature, they also kept up the tough talk, hoping to satisfy hawks eager to preemptively strike Iran.
Panetta explained emphatically that any move from Iran to develop nuclear weapons is a “red line” for the U.S. “We will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” he said. “That is the red line that would concern us and that would ensure that the international community, hopefully together, would respond.”
“But the intelligence does not show that they’ve made the decision to proceed with developing a nuclear weapon,” Panetta added. This has been a bit of an inconvenient truth for Washington as they continue to heap crippling economic sanctions on Iran supposedly out of suspicion of their nuclear program. They’ve also continued to support Israel – and refuse to criticize it – even while Tel Aviv has supported terrorist operations against Iranian nuclear scientists.
Iran, on the defensive, has made announcements about new, domestically-made centrifuges that were installed at the main uranium enrichment site at Natanz, branding that and other such developments as some nuclear “milestone.” But U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Wednesday the announcement was “hyped” for a domestic audience.
“Our view on this is that it’s not terribly new and it’s not terribly impressive,” she said.
Panetta also reiterated the oft-repeated euphemism for potential military attack against Iran, “we do keep all options on the table.” This helped lend legitimacy for political opportunists in the GOP to fear-monger about an imminent Iranian nuclear bomb, as House Speaker John Boehner did.
What? Iran is NOT developing nuclear weapons? Golly, there's a surprise.
A- Uncle Leon is one comprehensive ass.
B- Victoria Nuland is a Zionist freak. Sorry all you Zionistas out there, gotta call a spade a spade.
C- So what is all the fuss about? You know, the real deal about the knickers-in-a-knot over Iran.
Oh wait, Iran won't toe the line dictated by Israel/US. Right.
"Tehran has not decided to develop an atomic bomb." Well, is for what "Washington continue to heap crippling economic sanctions on Iran"?!
Chomsky on iraniphobia
http://presstv.com/detail/227135.html
John, I believe something has messed up your first link; the title is right but the text is not relevant. It should be this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/p…
Every once in a while Uncle Leon lets slip a tidbit of truth, usually impolitic in timing but the truth nonetheless. All 16 (or 17 – I lose count) intelligence agencies of the USG have stated clearly, for several years, that Iran is not, that's a negative, attempting to build a nuclear weapon. But, regardless of what the "experts" say, the warmongers and Israel-Firsters insist otherwise. I wish the 4th Estate would do what it is they are supposed to do and insist when one of these people cry for war that these people provide the proof that Iran is building a nuke. Make them provide their source. Even Israeli intelligence has indicated that Iran is not on that course.
By allowing these pols and pundits to go unchallenged, the unwashed and uninformed out there in Bubbaland BELIEVE that Iran is building a nuke -and then support those calling for more war.
Make them prove it. Question everything.
But, I waste my breath.
So… We've got what we wanted presumably. Iran is innocent of the charges against them. They are not doing the bad thing everyone is afraid of. So the logical response is–more sanctions! Punish them! For what, exactly?
What can they possibly do to have the sanctions lifted, then? What are the sanctions for?
It's classic. Sooner or later they will have to retaliate and this will become the so-called casus belli. It makes you sick.
What's going on here? Did I just read that Panetta has just said they're not making the bomb and even Irans "big announcement" was just ho-hum? Well what in the hell are they getting all in a tiff over? Is this some sort of a sick joke? Or is this yet another shot across the bow to Israel that they should ratchet down their warmongering rhetoric on the double time? Makes you wonder.
What's going on here? Did I just read that Panetta has just said they're not making the bomb and even Irans "big announcement" was just ho-hum? Well what in the hell are they getting all in a tiff over? Is this some sort of a sick joke? Or is this yet another shot across the bow to Israel that they should ratchet down their warmongering rhetoric on the double time? Because if El-Presidente keeps doing what hes been doing then war is inevitable. Is there a battle going on within our own government to put a stop to this madness? Makes you wonder.
So we are planning and trying to start another criminal illegal war based on lies because we can.
The Japanese deserved to be nuked for their dastardly sneak attack that is now SOP for the US. Germans were evil because of their attacks on innocent civilians being attacked by Stukas and poor innocent Rotterdam. Now we do it by remote control. Militaries and Imperial criminal aggressive governments all seem to be the same. The fallen human nature that crucifies Jesus again and again.
Funny that Iran's recently disclosed nuclear advances are "not impressive" and yet the media says they are also "ominous and threatening" — so which is it?
The picture of the israeli diplomatic car supposedly blown up from the outside by a magnetic bomb placed on it by terrorists on a motorcycle actually appears to show that it was blown up from the INSIDE if you look at the back of the car!!!
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/0…
Awesome. Will someone please pass the message on to the Israeli Brownshirts so they can finally shut the hell up?
We know, we know, we know. However, y'all Yankees & Jews alike keep ignoring it and pandering your fearmongering. If anyone even notices this tidbit, they'll soon forget it under the barrage of misinformation, disinformation and propaganda from both sides.
Has anyone ever wondered if Israel keeps this possible war with Iran going on purpose? Here are some of the benefits for Israel .MORE MONEY MORE MILITARY AID. When are the Israelis going to ask for and get the STEALTH BOMBER. These stinking American politicians will be tripping over each other to satisfy Israel. ( THINK ABOUT IT )
it doesn't matter if iran is or is not going nuclear OIL is the main target
If the USA and EU keep kissing Israels a– we will soon be paying 10 gal. for fuel! (IF YOU CAN GET IT!) When they start to freeze in Europe Israel and US can give them some of their oil. Why do we let Israel lead us around by the nose???