Israel Officials in US to Discuss Iran's nuclear threat despite U.S. intelligence report
Israeli intelligence officials are in the U.S. trying to convince the Bush administration that Iran is still trying to develop nuclear weapons — contrary to the findings of a recent U.S. intelligence report, security officials said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, however, scolded a Cabinet minister on Sunday for his harsh, public criticism of the U.S. report.
The U.S. assessment, released earlier this month, concludes Iran halted its weapons development program in 2003 and that the program remained frozen at least through the middle of this year. The findings reversed a key conclusion from a 2005 intelligence report that Iran was developing a bomb.
Israeli officials fear the report will weaken international resolve to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions.
It was not clear what type of material the Israeli delegation — for the most part military intelligence officers — presented to U.S. officials during its unscheduled visit. The Israeli delegation hoped to receive additional information from the U.S. report, which for the most part was classified, the Israeli officials said.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.
The Israeli delegation set off for the U.S. last week and will wind up its visit this week, the officials said.
1 votes
