THE NUCLEAR BALANCE

How Close Is Iran to a Bomb?

By Christopher Dickey | NEWSWEEK
Published Feb 28, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Mar 9, 2009

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  • Posted By: Andrew21 @ 03/02/2009 9:08:31 AM

    What will Europe and the U.S. do? They will continue to talk while Iran progresses towards nuclear capability. At some point in the relatively near future Israel will attack Iranian facilities with or without U.S. "permission". The bottom line is that Israel will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons and will do what ever is necessary to prevent it. All the posts about "should-have, could have " ignore Israels' consistant policy towards the potential development of nuclear capability by it's hostile neighbors. Israel is giving the US, Europe and Iran an opportunity to defuse this situation before responding--but respond they will.

    • Posted By: Le Cycliste @ 03/02/2009 11:33:17 AM

      Yes, "at some point" Israel probably WILL take out Iran's nuke plant. then the fertilizer will hit the fan, Israel "goes Nuke" on a few countries, and the American Zionists and "End-Times" buffoons will all jump up and down and stick cookies in the oven to welcome Jeebus with, because they think Israel nuking somebody will signal the commencement of "Armageddon".
      So, tell me, who's religion is wanting to wipe out who's NOW?

  • Posted By: Le Cycliste @ 03/02/2009 11:24:51 AM

    "How close is Iran to a Bomb?" I dunno, how far is it from Tehran to where Israel keeps theirs hidden?

  • Posted By: Robert1234 @ 03/01/2009 9:58:01 PM

    What we're afraid of is that Iran will do what we do, threaten, bluster, run black programs, assassinations, etc. There is no legal impediment to Iran having nukes. In fact, the U.S. and all the "great power" deny anyone the ability to inspect their facilities while demanding the right to inspect and dictate to others. Remember, the US is the greatest terrorist on earth, killing and damaging more than anyone in history in such a fashion. If YOU were running Iran...what would you do? Until you have a nuke in hand, you will be in mortal danger for Israel and the U.S. Only by being a nuke bomb power can you be reasonably confident you won't be attacked. Remember, Iraq dropped it's nuke program and got invaded and destroyed. Korea built a nuke and it's secure. There is a lesson in that. Oh, and why isn't the U.S. concerned about Brazil's nuke bomb program? It their bomb somehow different from a NK or Iranian bomb? Inconsistency is the problem. Until we're doing what we demand of others, there is every reason for them to build bombs.

    • Posted By: smithjeffr @ 03/01/2009 10:25:27 PM

      • Posted By: panchanko1970 @ 03/01/2009 11:01:13 PM

        You have no idea what you are talking about. Iran may not have invaded any one....but make no mistake that they are at war with Israel through their proxy terrorist training and support. NO ONE IN THE WORLD EXCEPT FOR IRAN DENIES THIS. Iran was supplying insurgents weapons and training in Iraq. The leader of the largest militia in Iraq tucked tail and ran to Iran for support. Iran is the enemy of all the free peoples in the world. You have the leader of Iran claiming that Israel should be wiped off the face of the map. (With the blessing of their fanatical religious leaders.) Any religion that preaches death to non-muslims and kills women for going out of the house with a man they are not married to or related to is not going to persist in todays world. The Islamic revolution is meant for the world; not just Iran. I mean you people cant even stop kiling each other over differences in your own religion. The days of Sharia law and Islamic law are numbered....unfortunately it is probably going to take a major war to straighten these issues out. Make no mistake; radical Islam will be gone when you allow your people to be free and make their own choices. Iraq did not abandon nuclear power.....Israel stopped them from using what they built and they did not have the money or courage to build another faclity. Israel will do the same to Iran if/when it becomes neccesary with or with out the help of the world....and they will succeed. North Korea is about as secure as an unlocked car on a Philly street at 4 am. They have no real nuclear cabablilities to speak of, and the country is just destitute. Robert, I am sure you are a democrat....and I am sure it will be a republican that saves your neck when the time comes. (If your lucky.)

        • Posted By: ShawnHyde.com @ 03/02/2009 12:34:13 AM

          First of all the "wiped off the map" remark was an improper translation meant to do exactly what it did, get people like you to hate them. The whole purpose of the US being in the ME is only for the resources. The US spends more money on military than ALL of the rest of the countries in the world combined.

          Secondly who told you Iran is supplying insurgents? Was the the bush administration? the same administration that gave us 13 different reasons for the war in Iraq? Think about it, do some research stop being a sheeple man.

          As for the remarks about religion, name one that has not killed in the name of their own religion? Do yourself a favor, search Google for heresy, holy war, etc... Grow up before making childish comments like this.

          Right now Israel is the US's proxy terrorist, we pay them billions a year to control the ME, it's only recently the US has stepped in to "flatten the area".

          "I am sure it will be a republican that saves your neck when the time comes" Republican Democrat does it really make a difference? They are all republocrats to me and my bet is both of them would tuck tail and run while us real Americans stand up and defend our country should their ever be a real threat, unlike these propaganda wars they play with now.

          • Posted By: basedrum777 @ 03/02/2009 9:25:20 AM

            Oh please do tell what that translation was meant to be? How can something not threatening be translated to "wipe off the map"? Get over your Iranian anti-israel propoganda.

            • Posted By: tyler214 @ 03/02/2009 11:23:22 AM

              Just google "wipe of the map" and "Israel" and see what the remark really was. There are plenty of complete translations of the speech this phrase came from. Iran's president was talking about oppressive governments like Adolph Hitler and Saddam Hussein, and how their brutal governments 'disappeared from the pages of history". He then said the same would eventually happen to the government of Israel. He didn't threaten to wipe the country of Israel out of existence. He merely said the Israeli government, which he sees as oppressing the Palestinians, would likewise eventually be removed.

        • Posted By: ShawnHyde.com @ 03/02/2009 12:35:15 AM

          First of all the "wiped off the map" remark was an improper translation meant to do exactly what it did, get people like you to hate them. The whole purpose of the US being in the ME is only for the resources. The US spends more money on military than ALL of the rest of the countries in the world combined.

          Secondly who told you Iran is supplying insurgents? Was the the bush administration? the same administration that gave us 13 different reasons for the war in Iraq? Think about it, do some research stop being a sheeple man.

          As for the remarks about religion, name one that has not killed in the name of their own religion? Do yourself a favor, search Google for heresy, holy war, etc... Grow up before making childish comments like this.

          Right now Israel is the US's proxy terrorist, we pay them billions a year to control the ME, it's only recently the US has stepped in to "flatten the area".

          "I am sure it will be a republican that saves your neck when the time comes" Republican Democrat does it really make a difference? They are all republocrats to me and my bet is both of them would tuck tail and run while us real Americans stand up and defend our country should their ever be a real threat, unlike these propaganda wars they play with now.

  • Posted By: kentwo @ 03/02/2009 9:53:20 AM

    What do you think would happen to them if they ever use a bomb? Everone who has one would have excuse to remove them from earth!

    • Posted By: patriot71 @ 03/02/2009 10:57:21 AM

      if they used nuclear weapons then that would a perfect excuse for the U.S.A> to go in and take all their oil and have their huge global war that they want. go to infowars.com and find the truth

  • Posted By: kentwo @ 03/02/2009 9:51:47 AM

    What would happen if they used it? They would be eraced from earth!

  • Posted By: Don'tBeSheep @ 03/02/2009 7:47:32 AM

    Why is it not an issue that Israel has nukes? Iran & all other nations should have a right to nukes. Either they are banned across the board or permitted. No one should dictate who has the right to what & drum up fear of what might occur as a result.

    • Posted By: ahumbleopinion @ 03/02/2009 9:17:44 AM

      Here's the difference and why Iran should not have nuclear weapons. Israel's nukes are for defensive purposes. The Israeli government believes in the value and sanctity of human life, and will not arbitrarily kill someone for their religion. Iran believes Israel doesn't have the right to exist, and could use any means necessary to enforce their belief, and there is the likelihood if they have nukes, they would use them. Have you ever heard anyone say in the Israeli government "Iran doesn't have the right to exist." I didn't think so.

    • Posted By: ahumbleopinion @ 03/02/2009 9:14:42 AM

      Here's the difference and why Iran should not have nuclear weapons. Israel's nukes are for defensive purposes. The Israeli government believes in the value and sanctity of human life, and will not arbitrarily kill someone for their religion. Iran believes Israel doesn't have the right to exist, and could use any means necessary to enforce their belief, and there is the likelihood if they have nukes, they would use them. Have you ever heard anyone say in the Israeli government "Iran doesn't have the right to exist." I didn't think so.

  • Posted By: Vincent Bell @ 02/28/2009 6:46:17 PM

    Nuclear weapons are Iran's best defence against an attack by Israel, a hostile neighbour with over 200 warheads of its own. Just look at the facts; Iran has not launched a war to invade another country for over 1,500 years!
    I am much more worried about Israel's present nuclear arsenal than the potential one of Iran.

    • Posted By: TazMania @ 03/01/2009 9:24:03 PM

      Sure, Iran hasn't directly attacked anyone in a while. They do it all by proxy! Who do you think funds the terrorists in Lebanon and Syria? Iran could easily give a nuke or even a dirty bomb to one of the terrorist groups and let them do their dirty work for Iran and keep their hands clean.

      They could just set back and smile all the while... They could claim they never had anything to do with it.

      • Posted By: panchanko1970 @ 03/01/2009 11:51:32 PM

        Except for the fact that the nuclear material will have a certain signature that will allow you to tell where it came from.

        • Posted By: basedrum777 @ 03/02/2009 9:17:00 AM

          They would just claim it was stolen from their facilities. They already don't care what the world thinks of them. At this point it would be a no lose situation.

      • Posted By: arashasadi72 @ 03/02/2009 12:25:04 AM

        The problem of people like you is you make story first and then after a while you believe it. have you ever think what is the benefit for Iran to give nuke to some small arab groups while one of them can end up in its own soil? Is it really possible to blow a bomb in middle of such crowded neighbourhood? Nuke is a defensive weapon that prevent people like Goerge Bush think twice when are they planning to conquer other countries.

  • Posted By: roninfl @ 03/02/2009 8:23:02 AM

    More corporate media fearmongering: "We don't have proof of anything, the IAEA and the NIE says they're not doing anything wrong, they're not doing anything they're not allowed to do under the NPT, but BE VERY AFRAID!!!"

    Google "Scott Ritter" and "Gordan Prather" if you want real info on this subject and not AIPAC propaganda.

  • Posted By: jeff42 @ 03/01/2009 2:42:03 PM

    The most important piece of contextual information is also the one thing left out of most of these stories. Simply, low-enriched uranium cannot be made into a bomb. It must be processed to a high level of enrichment, a capability which the Iranians do not have. Also, the low-enriched materials are under IAEA lock-and-key, and cannot be removed without detection. In other words, there is no threat and no crisis.
    The people who are crying wolf in this case are exactly the same people who peddled the WMD fictions.Perhaps some scrutiny should be focussed on their motivations.

    • Posted By: newtral @ 03/02/2009 12:33:50 AM

      You are right jeff42. Only israel has the big reason to worry of a strong Iran. Why? Because they can no longer do what they were doing since 1947.

  • Posted By: Bob321 @ 03/01/2009 11:04:53 PM

    Robert1234 you sound like an angry high school student. Do you really believe that other countries don't "do what we do, threaten, bluster, run black programs, assassinations, etc." I thought an Anti-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty was a legal document? I also thought that when the U.S. and Russia signed their Nuclear treaty that both countries sent representatives to each others country to monitor the destruction of the agreed upon number of warheads. And, you are right, the United States is the only country to have ever used a Nuclear Weapon. I like to think it saved a million U.S. soldiers lives. They attacked us, sneak attack I think they called it. Just recently I read that Israel asked for U.S. support in bombing Iran's nuclear power plant before it went live, the U.S. said no. Finally, I don't know anything about Brazil's program to make comment. We are no better and no worse than any other country. We are what we are. If you don't like the U.S. leave or run for office and try to change it. Otherwise, continue to enjoy your rights and freedoms here in America at someone elses expense.

  • Posted By: Endeavor40 @ 03/01/2009 10:46:46 PM

    Iran needs to work 7 days a week at 24 hrs.pr. day to make the Bomb. I wish they would hurry a little faster. It's the only thing that would keep the Zionists from eating the whole Middle East a piece at a time.The Greedy , hook-nosed parasites of the AIPAC World are getting a little edgy.

    • Posted By: panchanko1970 @ 03/01/2009 11:03:25 PM

      All that will do is hasten their destruction.

  • Posted By: mdshams00 @ 03/01/2009 10:25:27 PM

    pretty sson it would be 10000 kg of failure!

  • Posted By: oengus @ 03/01/2009 7:45:00 PM

    Yeah we know thanks for scaring us some more, you cannot kill people that scare you. You cannot say kill them before they kill us, if they build a bomb and then use it then deal with it. If they say look we have bomb, you say that???s nice. I am going to use this bomb, again that???s nice. It is child psychology! I am tired of these theoretic scenarios.

    As for Israel and the Jewish power network in the US please take us out of your ultra sophisticated game of stratego, the Persians are not that scary.

  • Posted By: arashasadi72 @ 03/01/2009 9:53:59 AM

    Nuchear weapon is best defense option for Iran in today world reality and failing not to get them is fatal mistake for Iran without any chance to recover from it . Isreal, Arabs, England(In general Anlo Saxon including Canada,...), US, Russia, India, pakistan, afganistan, greek, Italy and Turkey. These countries are all Persian people most dangerous enemies that Iran need to live and deal with them in 21th century. All of them showed hostilities toward Iranian culture and its teritories. Although some of them are now in form of Iran friends but they keep their ill intentions and will show up when its times come up. These countries not only are Iran enemy but also encourage other nutral countries to be hostile toward Iran in other words they are always making enemy for Iranian people, just a brief search in persian history will prove what I am claiming. Nuke will insure Iran's existance and its interests against them. This is vey sad fact but true one. I will be surprised if Iran did not already and secretly add these weapons in its army arsenal.

  • Posted By: Vincent Bell @ 02/28/2009 6:53:31 PM

    A nuclear weapon is Iran's best defence against Israel, a hostile neighbour with over 200 warheads of its own. Just look at the facts; Iran has not invaded another country for over 1500 years. Thats more than you can say about most countries. I am much more worried about Israel's current arsenal of 200+ nuclear warheads given it's racist policies.

  • Posted By: FairMind @ 02/28/2009 2:00:43 PM

    Keep deluding yourself about the efficacy of coercive diplomacy or severe sanctions! Iran was able to run the country, manage a war with Iraq when the price of oil was at around $5/b ... Start talking nicely and with great respect to this great nation; otherwise, you might end up one day hearing Iran not only tested a nuclear device, but have a stockpile of 400 warheads!! Would you rather have that!? ... I thought not!

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