Briefing on Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program

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

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

Intelligence Report October 21, 2004 October 21, 2004 British intelligence reports that Iran purchased weapons-grade uranium from the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan in June In August, a shipment of uranium was transferred from Turkmenbassy to the capitol, Ashgabat. British intelligence reports that Iran purchased weapons-grade uranium from the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan in June In August, a shipment of uranium was transferred from Turkmenbassy to the capitol, Ashgabat.

Two weeks later, the Iranian military brought the shipment across the border and into the northern town of Mashhad, Iran. Two weeks later, the Iranian military brought the shipment across the border and into the northern town of Mashhad, Iran. It has since been moved to a military base in Ahvaz which is 100 miles east of the Iraqi border. It has since been moved to a military base in Ahvaz which is 100 miles east of the Iraqi border.

Map of Iran

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

Iranian Missile Strike Capabilities

Key Questions: Is Iran a legitimate threat to the US and its allies? Is Iran a legitimate threat to the US and its allies? Is the intelligence report provided by the British government accurate? Is the intelligence report provided by the British government accurate? If so, what options does the President have? If so, what options does the President have?

Possible 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.