OMEN
06-02-2006, 11:08 AM
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The UN has agreed new plans to halt Iran's nuclear programme
Negroponte interview
Iran is determined to have a nuclear weapon and could possess one within 10 years, according to the senior US intelligence chief.
Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte told BBC Radio's Today programme Tehran could have a nuclear bomb ready between 2010 and 2015.
His comments come after the UN Security Council agreed proposals to persuade Tehran to suspend its programme.
The UK said the council would take action if Iran did not comply.
Lessons learned
Iran resumed enrichment of uranium this year but remains a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and maintains its activities are aimed at energy production.
However in his interview with the BBC, Mr Negroponte said: " seems to be determined to develop nuclear weapons.
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[I]Iran is the world's top state sponsor of terrorism, says Mr Negroponte
"We don't have a clear-cut knowledge but the estimate we have made is some time between the beginning of the next decade and the middle of the next decade they might be in a position to have a nuclear weapon, which is a cause of great concern."
He accused Iran of being the world's top state sponsor of terrorism.
"Their behaviour has been a cause of concern not only in Lebanon and Israel and in the Palestinian territories but in Iraq," Mr Negroponte said.
He also acknowledged that US intelligence had made mistakes assessing the weapons capabilities of Iraq before the invasion, but said lessons had been learned and corrective measures taken.
He said: "I think we have improved the integrity of our analyses substantially. I think we have internalised some of these lessons."
Of the US-led war on terror, Mr Negroponte said it was "hard to estimate" when it would end: "I think we are talking about something that might go on for some period of time."
'Significant benefits'
In Vienna on Thursday, six major world powers agreed a package of incentives and penalties to try to induce Iran to curb its nuclear programme.
The proposals will be raised with Tehran in the coming days.
Although no details have been made public, sources say they could include giving Iran a nuclear reactor and an assured supply of enriched uranium.
All Security Council action could also be suspended upon compliance.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett called the incentives "far-reaching".
She said: "There are two paths ahead. We urge Iran to take the positive path and consider seriously our substantive proposals which would bring significant benefits to Iran."
US officials said Iran would have just weeks to decide whether to accept the package.
There has been no official reaction yet from Iran.
The US has so far refused direct talks with Iran over the issue although this week Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington would come to the table when Iran fully and verifiably suspended its enrichment and reprocessing activities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki welcomed the idea of talks with the US but ruled out any compromise on enrichment.
BBC
The UN has agreed new plans to halt Iran's nuclear programme
Negroponte interview
Iran is determined to have a nuclear weapon and could possess one within 10 years, according to the senior US intelligence chief.
Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte told BBC Radio's Today programme Tehran could have a nuclear bomb ready between 2010 and 2015.
His comments come after the UN Security Council agreed proposals to persuade Tehran to suspend its programme.
The UK said the council would take action if Iran did not comply.
Lessons learned
Iran resumed enrichment of uranium this year but remains a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and maintains its activities are aimed at energy production.
However in his interview with the BBC, Mr Negroponte said: " seems to be determined to develop nuclear weapons.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41715000/jpg/_41715932_negrop.jpg
[I]Iran is the world's top state sponsor of terrorism, says Mr Negroponte
"We don't have a clear-cut knowledge but the estimate we have made is some time between the beginning of the next decade and the middle of the next decade they might be in a position to have a nuclear weapon, which is a cause of great concern."
He accused Iran of being the world's top state sponsor of terrorism.
"Their behaviour has been a cause of concern not only in Lebanon and Israel and in the Palestinian territories but in Iraq," Mr Negroponte said.
He also acknowledged that US intelligence had made mistakes assessing the weapons capabilities of Iraq before the invasion, but said lessons had been learned and corrective measures taken.
He said: "I think we have improved the integrity of our analyses substantially. I think we have internalised some of these lessons."
Of the US-led war on terror, Mr Negroponte said it was "hard to estimate" when it would end: "I think we are talking about something that might go on for some period of time."
'Significant benefits'
In Vienna on Thursday, six major world powers agreed a package of incentives and penalties to try to induce Iran to curb its nuclear programme.
The proposals will be raised with Tehran in the coming days.
Although no details have been made public, sources say they could include giving Iran a nuclear reactor and an assured supply of enriched uranium.
All Security Council action could also be suspended upon compliance.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett called the incentives "far-reaching".
She said: "There are two paths ahead. We urge Iran to take the positive path and consider seriously our substantive proposals which would bring significant benefits to Iran."
US officials said Iran would have just weeks to decide whether to accept the package.
There has been no official reaction yet from Iran.
The US has so far refused direct talks with Iran over the issue although this week Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington would come to the table when Iran fully and verifiably suspended its enrichment and reprocessing activities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki welcomed the idea of talks with the US but ruled out any compromise on enrichment.
BBC