Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 16, 2008 12:11:42 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

CIA Recruited Iranian Officials to Defect

Posted Dec 9, 07 6:00 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – The CIA plotted to recruit Iranian officials to defect and managed to entice a handful to do so over the last two years, reports the Los Angeles Times. The secret program, begun in 2005, was intended to disrupt Iranian nuclear research. The primary criterion for recruitment, according to a former CIA official, was: "Who, if removed from the program, would have the biggest impact on slowing or stopping their progress?"

While those who defected may have slowed the Iranian program, the information they gave the CIA was limited, according to sources. Iranian officials have blasted US "espionage" and demanded explanations in a letter sent to Washington after an American intelligence report revealed extensive operations in the country, according to Iran's foreign minister. It was not clear if the defection plan was mentioned in the report.

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • In Break With Policy, US to Join Iran Nuke Talks

    Jul 16, 08 12:17 AM CDT
    In Break With Policy, US to Join Iran Nuke Talks In a break with long-standing policy, a top US envoy will join European Union talks with Iran concerning its nuclear program, reports the Washington Post. Undersecretary of State William Burns will join the EU's foreign policy chief and Iran's nuclear negotiator in Geneva this weekend. Burns will hold out the possibility of direct talks with the US if Iran ceases enriching uranium. More »

  • US Steps Up Covert Plots in Iran

    Jun 30, 08 2:15 AM CDT
    US Steps Up Covert Plots in Iran Congress agreed to boost covert operations against Iran last year despite reservations by key officials, Seymour Hersh writes in the New Yorker. President Bush sought up to $400 million for the program, which supports dissidents intent on undermining Tehran and gathers data on its nuke plans. Some analysts believe the moves foreshadow a military strike against the country. More »

  • Amid Pressure, Helping Iran on Nuke Power More Popular

    Jun 10, 08 2:45 PM CDT
    Amid Pressure, Helping Iran on Nuke Power More Popular Even as US and European leaders warned today of new sanctions, a controversial plan to help Iran build an internationally run nuclear enrichment facility is gaining traction in Washington, the Boston Globe reports. The Bush administration rejected the proposal from MIT scientists 3 years ago, but now legislators from both parties, as well as Iranian officials, think it could help break the deadlock. More »

  • Iran Flip Shows US Intelligence Turnaround

    Dec 5, 07 11:43 AM CST
    Iran Flip Shows US Intelligence Turnaround In reversing its 2005 finding that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons, the US intelligence community is putting into practice changes adopted after crucial failures in the run-up to the Iraq war. The original used weak sourcing and less than rigorous fact-gathering, critics say. “I think people should take comfort from the fact that they’ve changed their view," a former CIA official tells the New York Times. More »

  • Iran Prez: Go Ahead Make My Day

    Nov 18, 07 2:38 PM CST
    Iran Prez: Go Ahead Make My Day Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday warned that his nation is fully prepared to respond if attacked, but downplayed the possibility of a war with the US. "We have made all preparations, and if there is any suspicion, then we are ready," he said during a visit to Bahrain. Ahmadinejad earlier characterized the US military as "shabby." More »

Ali Reza Asghari, the former Iranian general who went missing at the beginning of 2007. He may have defected.   (Fars News Agency / Wikipedia)
Former CIA Director Porter Goss.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Tags

Iran  • CIA  • nuclear proliferation  • defection  • defectors



Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »