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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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19

UN Report: Iran Able to Make Nuclear Bomb

Nation has sufficient data, says 'tentative' IAEA conclusion

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(Newser) – Iran may be closer to making a nuclear weapon than thought: A controversial report by the UN nuclear agency concludes that Tehran has "sufficient information to be able to design and produce" such a device. What's more, Iran has gone beyond just acquiring information from rogue experts and has made progress in fashioning a warhead for a medium-range missile. It's not clear just how much progress. The report hasn't been made public, but European officials discussed it with the New York Times.

If the International Atomic Energy Agency report is accurate—the authors stress their findings are tentative, and the agency's own departing director is opposed to its release—it means that Iran is further along than even the US has warned. The report specifies that Tehran is working toward a device based on highly enriched uranium, and the development comes as Iran prepares to allow UN inspectors into its newly revealed uranium-enrichment site.

Iranian fans hold a huge Iranian flag prior to Iran and United Arab Emirates soccer match during their World Cup qualifying in Asia, at the Azadi (Freedom) stadium in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 10, 2009.
Iranian fans hold a huge Iranian flag prior to Iran and United Arab Emirates soccer match during their World Cup qualifying in Asia, at the Azadi (Freedom) stadium in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 10,...   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
An Iranian flag flutters near a missile prior to a test launch in 2008.
An Iranian flag flutters near a missile prior to a test launch in 2008.   (AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Vahid Reza Alaei)
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamad El Baradei in 2008.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamad El Baradei in 2008.   (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
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19 comments
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edbro
Oct 3, 09 6:34 PM CDT
Israeli trigger fingers are getting itchy. But, is that what Imanutjob really wants? Is he trying to bring on a global showdown? Reply
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+5
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drlarrymitchell
Oct 4, 09 3:59 AM CDT
Yeah...all I can say is 'Mad Props!' to George Bush for looking forward in an attempt to prevent things like this from happening and also for realizing we wouldn't want our armed forces salty and exhausted if something like this were to come up.
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+1
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jagerhans
Oct 4, 09 8:36 AM CDT
the israeli must find fast some lie to make the war start now. they have little time left, there are negotiates going on and those nefarious talks could lead to -gasp!- peace with Iran. remembers me of the smoking gun claims.
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+2
DJM420
Oct 3, 09 6:44 PM CDT
NEWS FLASH...SO CAN N KOREA.... Reply
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+2
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psycada
Oct 3, 09 9:10 PM CDT
and ISREAL!
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+1
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