Although it is nice to believe that Iran's intentions are not malevolent, it would be naive at best to assume so...as long as Ahmadinnerjacket rants about the destruction of Israel and denies the Holocaust, it will be difficult to take seriously anything the Iranians say.

Please furnish a link to Ahmadinejad's statement when he "rant"ed about the destruction of Israel.

Is it against the law for someone to deny that the holocaust took place? Is that cause for war?

Do you also believe that Iran has cause to believe Israel's intentions are not malevolent since they have been threatening to strike Iran for several years unless Iran does what they want it to do?

Do you believe Iran has reason to believe that the United State's intentions are not malevolent when a candidate for the highest office of this country jokes about bombing Iran and the then sitting Vice-President of the US makes continuous threats of striking Iran preemptively?

Ahmadinnerjacket? Damn, I had you figured for older than an 8th grader but I guess you had an adult helping you, huh?

The purpose, however, making weapons grade material, remains the same.

David, if you have proof that Iran is enriching uranium to a level which would be considered "weapons grade" bring it on.

The only folks in the mideast that are known to enrich uranium to that level are...guess who.

Yep. When do you think the Israelis will open their nuclear facilities to international inspection?

...a tacit admission by the CIA that they have been penetrated by the Iranians. Given our history of being trumped in the intelligence field by by fairly small and extremely poor countries (h/t East Germany) this wouldn't actually be surprising. Still, its a bit sad.

I wouldn't put it past the Israelis, who have a history of penetrating our CIA, to feed the information to Iran for the express purpose of stirring up shit.

The Israelis love stirring up shit. They thrive on it.

It gives them excuses to slaughter innocent Arab and Palestinian men, women, and children.

-- WinSmith

You're the only one who thinks the disclosure is the story here, Glenn. The reality of the nuclear reactor is the story. Not whether Iran was sneaky or not. We won't know until we inspect it, now will we?

But go on with your bad self if you want to keep arguing for the potential rationality and honesty of the Iranian government not six months after they were murdering election protesters angry over the fraud in the streets.

The facility being built at Qom is not a nuclear reactor, Brainiac. It's a facility to house equipment to enrich uranium so that it is usable in a reactor. I guess it just sounds scarier for you to call it a reactor though and the truth has never been your strong suit...so I can understand why you would call it a reactor.

-- calamine

If the CIA discovered that Iran knew that we knew of its Qom reactor it couldn't have known THAT by google! It would need a "source and a method" a guy on the ground. Does it seem likely they would compromise such an asset by an over-explanation? In fact that would be criminal, more criminal in fact than the Plame disclosure. You can favor Iran over Israel without being plain stupid.

Oh, really? First, you and WinSmith the Liar must be comparing notes for you both make the mistake of calling the Qom facility a nuclear reactor. See my note to WinSmith above for the actual fact of what it is.

I see that you are now an expert in intelligence methods and practices, huh? The fact is that the Iranians disclosed the facility before they believed they were legally required to do so and the fact that the actual requirement about when a disclosure must be made has been disputed by the Iranians for several years. They didn't up and make their claim out of the blue just in time for this situation.

and now, for the trifecta...

-- Old Joe

Aw come on Glenn...

Sorry Glenn. This time... The 'FACTS' say that the US, French, and UK knew about this long before the Iranians admitted it. Do you really think all those spy satellites missed the Qom plant?

Oh? Got anything with which to prove that assertion? A link will be fine.

But.. let's say you're right - the US, UK, and France really didn't know about any of this before it was revealed by Iran. What difference does that make? What different result do you think would come from that. It's kind of like believing that Janet Jackson really DID have a wardrobe failure... What exactly was SUPPOSED to happen?

It wouldn't make any difference at all. All that's happening is that the usual suspects are using what is basically a non-issue to stir up shit. Frankly, I believe it's being done so that Obama can openly kiss Israel's ass PLUS draw public attention away from the complete and utter disaster the rest of his administration has been for working Americans and those of us who don't believe we (the US) should remain in a perpetual state of war.

Let's face it - you're offended by Western arrogance, not Iranian positioning.

Aren't you?

And since we are allowed to inspect Qom, why can't we inspect the other facilities as well?

When Iran agreed to the Qom inspection - they relinquished their right to play the Israel card.

Joe, the IAEC has been inspecting ALL Iranian nuclear facilities for quite some time. Where have you been?