CIA Chief Affirms Civilian Nature of Iran's Nuclear Program
The head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) acknowledged the civilian nature of Iran's nuclear program, stating there is no evidence to suggest that Iran is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons.
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In his remarks, Burns referred to recent developments in the Middle East and claimed, without concrete evidence, that Iran's strategic position in the region has weakened significantly over the past six to seven months. He asserted that Iran’s influence has been severely diminished and described it as being strategically vulnerable.
Using this baseless claim, Burns alleged that Iran could reverse its earlier decision to suspend its military nuclear program, which it made in late 2003. He stated, "Iran could choose to restore its deterrence posture in response to this weakness."
However, he admitted, "We currently have no evidence to suggest such a decision is being made, but we are closely monitoring the situation."
Burns further built his argument on the perceived weakness of Iran, suggesting that it might create an opportunity for the U.S. to engage in serious negotiations with Iran. He emphasized that the new U.S. administration must consider this possibility.
Iran has consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, a fact supported by numerous reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, has repeatedly stated that Iran's nuclear activities are transparent, compliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and under strict IAEA monitoring.
In this context, Major General Hossein Salami, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), addressed these claims during a gathering in Abadan on January 21. Salami said that Iran’s enemies argue the country has lost its deterrent arms in the region, claiming it is no longer as powerful as before. He warned that these statements are being repeatedly propagated to implant them into people's minds.
Salami pointed out that even after the assassination of figures like General Qasem Soleimani, Iran did not resort to its regional deterrent arms. Instead, Iran directly targeted U.S. bases from within its own borders, which it publicly claimed responsibility for. He emphasized that Iran still possesses strong capabilities, including in missile, drone, and naval technologies.
Salami concluded by asking, "Are we stronger today in controlling strategic chokepoints than we were in the past? Has our ability to influence the global economy and energy markets diminished? Absolutely not. Iran still maintains significant power and influence, and its resilience has only grown stronger over time."
