Israel Matzav

Barak: New US National Intelligence Estimate gives much more urgency to stopping Iran

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday that a new US National Intelligence Estimate would give greater urgency to stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday said that the latest US National Intelligence Estimate is closer than ever to Israel's own intelligence estimates on Iran. The latest US estimate, he told Israel Radio, gives much more urgency to stopping Iranian nuclear proliferation.

"We and the Americans agreed not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons and all options are on the table," Barak said. Ultimately, however, it is the Israeli government that will make decisions regarding its security and future.

The defense minister also addressed criticism of the government's perceived decision-making process, saying that the cabinet would need to approve any military strike on Iran. "The description in the media as if two people are sitting around and hatching attack plans is utterly ridiculous," he proclaimed.

The new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran was given to President Obama 'recently'.

President Barack Obama recently received a new National Intelligence Estimate report on the Iranian nuclear program, which shares Israel's view that Iran has made surprising, significant progress toward military nuclear capability, Western diplomats and Israeli officials have informed Haaretz.

This NIE report on Iran was supposed to have been submitted to Obama a few weeks ago, but it was revised to include new and alarming intelligence information about military components of Iran's nuclear program. Haaretz has learned that the report's conclusions are quite similar to those drawn by Israel's intelligence community.

The NIE report contends that Iran has made surprising, notable progress in the research and development of key components of its military nuclear program.

Will the new estimate convince President Obama to act? I'd say that's doubtful. But it might make it difficult for Obama not to support an Israeli attack on Iran, particularly if the report is leaked (as parts apparently have been) when the appropriate time comes.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Iranian nuclear threat, Israeli attack on Iran, National Intelligence Estimate

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:52 PM