Divide among Trump's intelligence agencies over Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Share this @internewscast.com


() There continues to be a key difference of opinion within the nation’s intelligence community about how close Iran is to building a nuclear bomb, intelligence sources tell .

Several top intelligence and military officials in the Trump administration believe Iran’s uranium stockpiles and abilities indicate it could build a bomb soon if its nuclear program is restarted.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has said behind closed doors on several occasions Iran is close to building a device, a U.S. official with knowledge of the matter said.

There seems to be no debate within the Trump administration over the buildup of Iran’s uranium stockpiles.

Where the intelligence community splits is over the timeline how soon Iran could have a nuclear bomb.

This is a key issue as President Trump decides whether to launch a U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

One senior intelligence official told that Iran is enriching uranium to a level “totally unnecessary for civilian use,” using the word “unprecedented levels.”

They added it is “very concerning behavior from Iran” with respect to potentially inching closer to pursuing a nuclear weapon. 

Another senior intelligence official tells , “There’s a difference between being very close and having a weapon.”

The official added it is different to achieve 90% uranium enrichment, which some experts said Iran is close to doing, and actually constructing a weapon. 

Another key official who believes Iran is close is Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of the military Central Command, which oversees military activity in the Middle East.

He said last week that if the Iranian regime restarted its nuclear program, it could produce enough weapons-grade material “in roughly one week and enough for up to 10 nuclear weapons in three weeks.”

In his statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kurilla cited the International Atomic Energy Agency: “The IAEA estimates current Iranian stockpiles to include over 400 kg of 60% enriched uranium – almost double of what it was just six months ago.”

The differences within the intelligence community are in the timeline it would take to construct a device. 

“Iran has all that it needs to achieve a new nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. 

When pressed on whether it was U.S. intelligence or ally intelligence that President Trump is using to say Iran is “very close to a nuclear weapon,” Leavitt said, “It is a fact that the United States government maintains this fact that Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Also at play is how officials are taking into account the damage done to the Iranian program by the Israeli bombing. One assessment is that Tehran has been set back at least six months or perhaps up to a year, the intelligence official said. Other officials are not sure yet how much damage has been done to the program.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tennessee Legislation Proposed to Address Hit-and-Run Incidents, Inspired by 19-Year-Old Victim

A Tennessee legislator is advocating for stricter consequences for individuals who flee…

Brace Yourself: Arctic Chill Lingers Into the Work Week with Storm Team 11’s Latest Forecast

Brace yourself for an Arctic blast this week as temperatures will plunge…

Spanberger Takes Oath of Office, Advocates for Unity in Inaugural Address

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – A fresh chapter unfolds in Virginia’s political landscape…

Maple Grove Farm Hosts Educational Open House on Syrup Production

Maple Grove Farm in Afton, Tennessee, is inviting the public to experience…

Minneapolis ICE Crackdown Poses Challenges for Somali Businesses

MINNEAPOLIS – A sense of unease has settled over a once-bustling complex…

Massive Gathering Honors Legacy of Grateful Dead’s Iconic Guitarist Bob Weir in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Thousands gathered at San Francisco’s Civic Center on Saturday…

Indonesian Rescue Teams Discover Plane Wreckage in Mountainous Terrain

JAKARTA – On Sunday, Indonesian rescuers located debris from a plane that…

Fannie Mae Utilizes AI to Feature Donald Trump’s Voice in New Advertisement, Securing His Consent

NEW YORK – A recent advertisement for Fannie Mae features a voice…

Authorities Detain Suspect in Connection to Osceola County Triple Homicide

In a tragic turn of events in Osceola County, Florida, a 29-year-old…

19-Year-Old Dunnellon Resident Succumbs to Injuries Following Brevard County Motorcycle Accident, Reports FHP

SHARPES, Fla. – A tragic accident claimed the life of a 19-year-old…

Bernice King Emphasizes the Importance of MLK Day Amidst Contemporary Political Challenges

ATLANTA – Amidst a climate of political strife and turmoil, the Rev.…

Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza Expands: Nations Invest $1 Billion for Permanent Seats

JERUSALEM – On Sunday, four additional countries revealed that the United States…