CIA Director: Iran is not trying to get a nuclear bomb
Striking statement from the CIA Director before Israeli Defense Minister Gantz’s visit to the USA: We have not seen any evidence that Iran is working to obtain nuclear weapons
Prior to Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s visit to Washington, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns said they did not see any evidence that Iran had decided to work towards obtaining nuclear weapons. Iran’s controversial nuclear file was also discussed at the summit between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was held via video conference yesterday.
Speaking at the CEO Council Summit organized by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Burns said that the intelligence service he is the director of has not seen any evidence that the “Iran Guide” (Ali Khamenei) has decided to take action for nuclear proliferation. Burns, repeating the statements of the US officials, including the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, regarding the 7th round of talks held in Vienna regarding the recovery of the nuclear agreement signed with Iran in 2015, said, “The Iranians do not take the negotiations seriously at this stage. We’ll see how serious they are soon,” he said.
Burns did not comment on the next date for talks on the nuclear deal. Iranian officials had stated in their previous statements that the talks would be held tomorrow (Thursday). Burns’ statement on nuclear weapons made it clear that senior Israeli officials, including the Director of Israel’s Foreign Intelligence Service (Mossad), David Barnea, who is currently in Washington to meet with Burns and other U.S. officials, made clear threats to Iran’s nuclear program. He came at a time when he used the language.
Israel has informed its European allies and the United States that it has taken technical steps to prepare for Iran’s uranium enrichment of 90 percent purity, the level necessary for nuclear weapons production, according to the news on the US-based Axios website last week. Iran says its nuclear program has only peaceful purposes.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz will visit Washington this week. Iran will be the center point of Gantz’s talks with Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin as part of his contacts in the USA.
Despite Israel’s warnings about the Iranian nuclear program, a senior US State Department official said last week that there is coordination between his country and Israel regarding the Iranian nuclear program. The US official said, “I think we may have some differences. This is normal. Our goal is still the same. We are firmly committed to our goal of not allowing Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Our talks with Iran are always important. We strive with all our strength to ensure that these talks are transparent and as well-coordinated as possible with Israel. “If Iran is not ready to return to the deal, we must face difficult decisions,” he said.
A senior US official said in a statement that US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed some issues of vital importance to the national security of the US at the summit held via video conference. The official said that among the topics discussed at the summit were the negotiations regarding Washington’s dissatisfaction with the development of the Iranian nuclear program, which threatens regional security and peace. No information has been given yet about the conclusions of the two leaders in the Iran file.
