US insists Iran´s nuclear program remains a threat

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-05-2007 13:30

President Bush holds a news conference in the Brady press briefing room at the White House, December 4, 2007. (Jim Young/Reuters)

The latest U.S. National Intelligence Estimate say Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 because of international scrutiny and pressure.

This is a sharp contrast to an intelligence report two years ago that stated Iran was "determined to develop nuclear weapons." However, US President George W. Bush views the report as a warning signal and insists Iran's nuclear program remains a threat.

Monday's NIE assessment of Iran follows years of strident rhetoric from Washington accusing Tehran of pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program.

Stephen Hadley, U.S. National Security Adviser, said, "The intelligence community has high confidence that Iran halted its covert nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003 and they have moderate confidence that it had not restarted that program as of mid-2007."

U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley speaks about Iran from the White House in Washington December 3, 2007. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

But the day after the US Intelligence community concluded it did not know whether Iran currently intends to develop nuclear weapons, President Bush was saying the report shows Iran is still developing the technology and could restart a weapons program.

George W. Bush, U.S. President, said, "I believed before the NIE that Iran was dangerous and I believe after the NIE that Iran is dangerous. And I believe now it is time for the world to do the hard work necessary to convince the Iranians there is a better way forward."

Bush also asserts the report shows nothing has changed.

George W. Bush, U.S. President, said, "Having laid that out I still feel strongly that Iran is a danger. Nothing's changed in this NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) that says: 'Okay, why don't we just stop worrying about it.' Quite the contrary. I think the NI (National Intelligence) makes it clear that Iran needs to be taken seriously, as a threat to peace,"

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates reinforced the US position that Tehran remains a possible threat.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates listens to translation during a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul December 4, 2007. REUTERS/Haraz N. Ghanbari/Pool

Robert Gates, US Defense Secretary, said, "The new National Estimate validates the administration's strategy of bringing diplomatic and economic pressures to bear on the Iranian government to change its policies."

"As long as they continue with their enrichment activities, then the opportunity to resume their nuclear weapons programme is always present."

Despite the intelligence report, the US is still urging continued international pressure on Iran and diplomatic measure.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei