Briefing on Iranian Briefing on Iranian Nuclear Weapons Nuclear Weapons

ProgramProgram

BackgroundBackground

Marine Gen.Anthony Zinni, the Marine Gen.Anthony Zinni, the former U.S. Central Commander, former U.S. Central Commander, predicted in 2000 that Iran was predicted in 2000 that Iran was anywhere from one to seven years anywhere from one to seven years away from developing a nuclear away from developing a nuclear bomb, depending on whether it can bomb, depending on whether it can acquire certain materials abroad or acquire certain materials abroad or has to develop its own. has to develop its own.

The Threat:The Threat:

If Iran can obtain weapons-grade If Iran can obtain weapons-grade plutonium or enriched uranium they plutonium or enriched uranium they can place it in one of their missiles can place it in one of their missiles and be a threat to American civilians and be a threat to American civilians at our Middle Eastern Embassies, our at our Middle Eastern Embassies, our service men and women in service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq, and our allies, Afghanistan and Iraq, and our allies, namely Israel and Saudi Arabia. namely Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Intelligence ReportIntelligence Report

October 21, 2004October 21, 2004 British intelligence reports that Iran British intelligence reports that Iran

purchased weapons-grade uranium purchased weapons-grade uranium from the former Soviet republic of from the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan in June 2004. In Turkmenistan in June 2004. In August, a shipment of uranium was August, a shipment of uranium was transferred from Turkmenbassy to transferred from Turkmenbassy to the capitol, Ashgabat.the capitol, Ashgabat.

Two weeks later, the Iranian military Two weeks later, the Iranian military brought the shipment across the brought the shipment across the border and into the northern town of border and into the northern town of Mashhad, Iran. Mashhad, Iran.

It has since been moved to a military It has since been moved to a military base in Ahvaz which is 100 miles base in Ahvaz which is 100 miles east of the Iraqi border.east of the Iraqi border.

Map of IranMap of Iran

Missile CapabilitiesMissile Capabilities

On July 7, 2003, On July 7, 2003, IranIran announced that it had announced that it had conducted the final test of its Shehab-3 conducted the final test of its Shehab-3 medium-range ballistic missile. The Iranian medium-range ballistic missile. The Iranian announcement confirmed an earlier report announcement confirmed an earlier report in the Israeli media, and the Iranian in the Israeli media, and the Iranian spokesperson emphasized that the missile spokesperson emphasized that the missile test was conducted a few weeks ago and test was conducted a few weeks ago and that "there was nothing new in the Israeli that "there was nothing new in the Israeli reports." The Iranians also stressed that reports." The Iranians also stressed that this was the last in a series of systems this was the last in a series of systems tests. tests.

Iranian Missile Strike CapabilitiesIranian Missile Strike Capabilities

Key Questions:Key Questions:

Is Iran a legitimate threat to the US Is Iran a legitimate threat to the US and its allies?and its allies?

Is the intelligence report provided by Is the intelligence report provided by the British government accurate?the British government accurate?

If so, what options does the President If so, what options does the President have?have?

Possible optionsPossible options

Seek a diplomatic solution through the UN.Seek a diplomatic solution through the UN.

Push for economic sanctions against Iran.Push for economic sanctions against Iran.

Use military force to resolve the situation.Use military force to resolve the situation.