[Osx-nutters] Report contradicts Bush on Iran nuclear program - A new U.S. intelligence report says Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and it remains on hold

[Kevin Callahan]

Report contradicts Bush on Iran nuclear program

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new U.S. intelligence report says Iran halted  
its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and it remains on hold,  
contradicting the Bush administration's earlier assertion that Tehran  
was intent on developing a bomb.
The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released on Monday could  
undermine U.S. efforts to convince other world powers to agree on a  
third package of U.N. sanctions against Iran for defying demands to  
halt uranium enrichment activities.

Tensions have escalated in recent months as Washington has ratcheted  
up the rhetoric against Tehran, with U.S. President George W. Bush  
insisting in October that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War  
Three.

But in a finding likely to surprise U.S. friends and foes alike, the  
latest NIE concluded: "We do not know whether (Iran) currently intends  
to develop nuclear weapons."

That marked a sharp contrast to an intelligence report two years ago  
that stated Iran was "determined to develop nuclear weapons."

<http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSWBT00801220071203?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 
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