Panetta: Iran Is Seeking Capability To Build Nuclear Weapon But Hasn't Decided To Develop One

[Purveyor]

By DOUGLAS BIRCH | Associated Press |

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Iran is laying the groundwork for making nuclear weapons someday, but is not yet building a bomb and called for continued diplomatic and economic pressure to persuade Tehran not to take that step.

As he has previously, Panetta cautioned against a unilateral strike by Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities, saying the action could trigger Iranian retaliation against U.S. forces in the region.

"We have common cause here" with Israel, he said. "And the better approach is for us to work together."

Panetta's remarks on CBS' Face the Nation, which were taped Friday and aired Sunday, reflect the long-held view of the Obama administration that Iran is not yet committed to building a nuclear arsenal, only to creating the industrial and scientific capacity to allow one if its leaders to decide to take that final step.

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http://www.newser.com/article/d9s4qifg1/panetta-iran-is-seeking-capability-to-build-nuclear-weapon-but-hasnt-decided-to-develop-1.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. I always find it funny when the US says in the same sentence

same sentence that Iran should not develop atomic weapons and use Israel as a justification for their reasoning.

[unkachuck]

2. "...Leon Panetta says Iran is laying the groundwork for making nuclear weapons..."

....did you ever stop to think that if the United States wasn't attacking the non-subservient nations of the world, the non-subservient nations might not feel the need to acquire nuclear weapons in self-defense?

....we generate the reactions we most dislike....why is that?