by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A new assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies reveals that Iran’s advancements in scientific and engineering research over the past year have put it in a stronger position to initiate a nuclear weapons program, the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend.
This report comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Friday, July 19, that Iran’s breakout time—the time required to produce enough weapons-grade material for a nuclear weapon—”is now probably one or two weeks,” as Tehran continues to advance its nuclear program.
A July report to Congress from the director of national intelligence warned that Iran has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.” Notably, the report omitted the longstanding U.S. intelligence assertion that Iran “isn’t currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons development activities necessary to produce a testable nuclear device.”
U.S. officials have not disclosed specific details about the work Iran is believed to be undertaking. However, in recent months, concerns have arisen among Israeli and U.S. officials about Iran’s potential weaponization-related research, including activities such as computer modeling and metallurgy, according to sources familiar with the issue.
Washington’s view of Iran’s nuclear efforts has shifted at a critical time, as Iran has produced enough highly enriched fuel for several nuclear weapons.
However, the U.S. intelligence community still believes that Iran is not currently working to build a nuclear device, a U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal.
Nevertheless, overwhelming evidence, including findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency and archives seized by Israel in 2018, confirms that Tehran maintained a comprehensive nuclear weapons program until 2003. This past work encompassed significant advances in key areas of warhead production and weaponization-related research.
This nuclear assessment report is disclosed at a critical time, as Israel braces for retaliation from Iran and its proxies following the targeted assassinations of Hamas’ leader in Tehran and Hezbollah’s second-in-command in Beirut. Meanwhile, the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East.
President Biden has consistently stated that the U.S. will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, hinting at the possibility of military action if Washington determines that Tehran has initiated an intensive effort to build a nuclear device.
Critics of the Iranian regime have been warning for years of Iran’s intentions of developing nuclear weapons, despite Iranian claims publicly that it is only for peaceful purposes. However, the credibility of these denials is eroded by the persistent calls from Iranian leaders for the “Death of Israel,” referring to it as the “Little Satan” and advocating for the destruction of the United States, labeling it as the “Great Satan.” Such rhetoric casts doubt on their declarations of pursuing a peaceful nuclear program.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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