Now the intelligence suggests Iranian plan for nuclear warhead production (strictly for peaceful purposes of course)
GERTZ:
WASHINGTON — A laptop computer removed from Iran contained blueprints of nuclear warheads and other data suggesting that prototypes and a framework for their production exisits.A U.S. Senate report asserted that unidentified foreign intelligence agencies have concluded that the Teheran regime completed the framework of a nuclear weapons program.
The report by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said these agencies have assessed that Iran could quickly assemble nuclear warheads once it produces a sufficient amount of highly-enriched uranium.
An Arrow missile is launched during a test for Israel's missile shield from an undisclosed location in Israel on April 7. Reuters
"Intelligence indicates Iran had produced a suitable design, manufactured some components and conducted enough successful explosives tests to put the project on the shelf until it manufactured the fissile material required for several weapons," the report, released on May 5, said.
The Senate report, titled "Iran: Where Are We Today?" said U.S. intelligence was believed to have underestimated Iran's progress toward a nuclear weapon. (NO REALLY? That's just so shocking) Senate investigators met foreign officials, including those from Israel and the International Atomic Energy Agency, who confirmed information found on a laptop computer smuggled out of Iran.
The laptop was said to have contained the locations of nuclear weapons facilities as well as videos of nuclear laboratories and data on nuclear warheads.
(DIZINFORMAZIYA ???)
"A senior allied intelligence official said the documents contained blueprints for a nuclear warhead that was a perfect match — 'down to the last millimeter' — with designs his agency had obtained from other sources inside Iran," the report said. "
Another document tracked the flight path for a missile, with notations that its warhead would detonate 600 meters above the ground, according to foreign intelligence officials and UN officials. That height would render a conventional explosive ineffective, but would be the optimum elevation for a nuclear weapon intended to wipe out a city."
Iran said the information on the laptop was a fabrication by U.S. intelligence. But Teheran agreed to allow IAEA to inspect one of the workshops listed in the laptop in August 2008. The Senate report said Teheran, however, changed its mind and refused to allow a senior IAEA official to enter the facility.
Iran was said to have neared completion of the three key elements for a nuclear weapon — fissile material, warhead design and delivery system. The report said U.S. and international efforts to stop Iran's program since 2007 have failed.
"The most significant questions focus on whether Iran has a separate covert enrichment facility where it could produce weapons-grade uranium, whether its nuclear activities were or still are aimed at building a weapon, and whether the military remains involved in the nuclear project," the report said. "Iran denies any military role in its nuclear efforts and so far no one has uncovered proof to the contrary."
The report cited Israel as one source of foreign intelligence analysis on Iran's nuclear program. In contrast to a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate in 2007, the Senate report quoted foreign analysts as concluding that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003 after Teheran determined that it had achieved sufficient progress. NIE cited international pressure.
A U.S. official was quoted as warning that the international community was becoming tired of discussing Iranian nuclear efforts.
(There's the REAL WORLD)
This, as Teheran has accelerated procurement of dual-use components required for the assembly of nuclear weapons.
The report said Iran, using front companies in Asia and Europe, has acquired carbon fiber and specialized metal for the advanced IR-2 gas centrifuge. The new centrifuge was said to be up to three times faster than current Pakistani-designed models.
"Among the most prized materials being sought by Iran are carbon fiber used in the more advanced IR-2 centrifuges under development and maraging steel and specialty aluminums for the IR-2 and the cruder centrifuges operating at Natanz, according to unclassified information provided to the staff," the report said. "Unclassified U.S. intelligence assessments and staff interviews with government officials and diplomats in Washington and foreign countries leave little doubt that Iran has the technological and industrial capacity to eventually develop an atomic bomb."
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