How Close Is Iran To Having The 'Bomb'?

A nuclear power plant in Iran. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via Wikimedia Commons.

CNBC: Iran is breaching its uranium stockpile limit under the nuclear deal. Here’s what that actually means

* Iran has now exceeded its internationally-agreed stockpile limit of low-enriched uranium, breaching a key tenet of the 2015 nuclear deal that the Donald Trump administration abandoned last year.
* The move comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran and against the backdrop of an Iranian economy buckling under the weight of U.S. sanctions.
* Nuclear experts told CNBC this still leaves Iran a long way from having the capability to build a bomb.

Iran has now exceeded its internationally-agreed stockpile limit of low-enriched uranium, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Monday, breaching a key tenet of the 2015 nuclear deal that the President Donald Trump administration abandoned last year.

The move comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran and against the backdrop of an Iranian economy buckling under the weight of U.S. sanctions, which had previously been lifted under the Obama-era deal in exchange for limits on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

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Update: How Close Is Iran to a Nuclear Bomb, Really? (Foreign Policy)

WNU Editor: This is what one UN expert is saying .... Former UN Nuclear Official: Iran 6-8 Months Away From A Nuclear Weapon (June 5, 2019).

German Intelligence: Iran Is Still Seeking Nuclear And Missile Technology

Financial Times: German agency accuses Iran of trying to buy nuclear technology after 2015 deal

Intelligence report tracks last year’s activity before and after July atomic accord

Iran has attempted to acquire nuclear technology in Germany even after the atomic accord it reached with western powers in Vienna last July, according to the German domestic intelligence agency.

The annual report of the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) said that illegal Iranian attempts to procure technology “continued on a quantitatively high level by international standards” in Germany in 2015.

“This was particularly the case for merchandise that could be deployed in the field of nuclear technology,” the report said. There was also an increase in Iranian efforts to buy parts for missiles that could be fitted with nuclear warheads, it added.

In last year’s landmark agreement, Iran agreed to roll back its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of western economic sanctions, ending a 12-year stand-off with the west. So far, the signs are that Iran has kept up its side of the bargain, shipping thousands of pounds of enriched uranium — almost all of its stockpile — to Russia and deactivating its heavy water reactor at Arak.

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More News On German Intelligence Reporting That Iran Is Still Seeking Nuclear And Missile Technology

German intel report charges Iran seeking illegal nuke, missile tech -- FOX News
German Intelligence: Iran Violating UN Missile Rules, Still Seeking Illicit Nuclear Tech -- The Tower
Iran still seeking nuclear weapons, says German intelligence -- Arutz Sheva
Iran still trying to acquire materials for nuclear program, Germany warns -- i24news
Iran seeking illegal nuke, missile technology: German intelligence -- Times of Israel
Iran missile tests 'not consistent' with nuclear deal spirit: U.N. report -- Reuters

Is Iran Pursuing A Program To Develop A Nuclear Detonator?

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan announced plans to boost the penetration and destructive power of missile payloads along with the much improved precision-striking capability. FARS News Agency

Times of Israel: Iran announces plan to produce explosives used in missile warheads

Defense minister says country wants to make Octogen to improve ‘destructive power’; material also used in nuke detonators.

Iran intends to produce the powerful explosive Octogen for use in the warheads of its missiles to improve their “destructive and penetration power,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Wednesday.

Octogen is used as an explosive in penetrating missile warheads and as a solid rocket fuel — but is also employed as part of the detonator in an atomic bomb.

During a ceremony to inaugurate a Octogen production plant, Dehqan stressed Iran’s goal of gaining the know-how to make the explosive material in order to avoid relying on external sources.

“Concurrently with its efforts to increase the precision-striking power of its weapons systems, the Defense Ministry has also paid attention to boosting the destructive and penetration power of different weapons’ warheads and has put on its agenda the acquisition of the technical know-how to produce Octogen explosive materials and Octogen-based weapons,” he said, according to a report from the semi-official FARS news agency.

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Update #1: Iran Working to Increase Penetration Power of Military Warheads (FARS News Agency)
Update #2: Under Nuclear Deal Iran Can Have Nuclear Detonators (Investor's Business Daily Editorial)

WNU Editor: Even if Iran's defense minister is stressing the point that this program is only being pursued to improve the "destructive power" of a conventional warhead .... this is raising red flags  everywhere.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: Iran's Past Nuclear Activity Is Not As Important As Preventing An Iranian Bomb Today

United States Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, at the United Nations in New York, September 26, 2015. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

Reuters: Preventing Iran bomb more important than past nuclear activity: Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that preventing Iran developing a nuclear weapon in future was more important now than "ambiguities" about its past military efforts.

Kerry said it would be premature to comment on a leaked report by the U.N. atomic watchdog that strongly suggested Tehran had a nuclear weapons program for years until 2003, since deliberations were not completed.

But he told a news conference on a visit to Greece: "Nobody has had any doubts whatsoever about Iran's past military endeavors. From the get-go, we have consistently said we know that Iran was pursuing a nuclear project."

What really mattered now, Kerry said, was "making certain that none of whatever happened in the past can happen going forward into the future".

Update #1: Kerry Says US Had No Doubt About Iran's Past Nuke Work -- AP
Update #2: Kerry: U.S. Had No Doubt About Past Iranian Nuke Work -- RFE

WNU Editor: I have a problem with John Kerry's statement. Mind you .... I use it all the time .... "I do not care what a person did in the past, it is the present and future that counts". But I do not know if this is the right approach towards nuclear weapons .... especially when it comes to Iran and its long history of avoiding and/or obfuscating this issue.

Ex-Iran President: Iran Considered Nuclear Weapons During 1980s Iraq War

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Reuters: Iran considered nuclear weapons during 1980s Iraq war, ex-president says

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran considered pursuing a nuclear deterrent when it began its nuclear programme in the 1980s, during an eight-year war with Iraq, a former president has been quoted as saying.

Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's comments comes at a sensitive moment, as Iran implements an agreement reached with world powers in July aimed at curbing its nuclear programme, to allay Western fears it was trying to build an atomic bomb.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, is investigating whether Iran's nuclear programme ever had a military application. It is due to issue a report by Dec. 15.

Throughout the negotiations, Iran insisted its programme had only ever been for peaceful purposes.

WNU Editor: What I find rather revealing about this "confession" is the admission that Pakistan was more than willing to assist Iran in getting the bomb .... Pakistan sold Iran nuke technology in 1980s, former President Rafsanjani reveals (Indian Express). More here .... Former Iranian President: Pakistani Bomb Dealer Helped Launch Tehran’s Nuclear Program (The Tower).

More News On Former Iranian President Rafsanjani Admitting That Iran Considered A Nuclear Bomb Program During the Iran - Iraq War

Rafsanjani: Iran Considered Nuclear Deterrent In 1980s -- RFE
Report: Former president admits Iran pursuing nuclear weapons -- Haaretz
Former Iranian President Admits to Country’s Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons -- Algemeiner
Iran has always had a covert nuclear weapons program: Rafsanjani -- i24 News
Rafsanjani’s admissions -- NCRI

Senior Iranian Cleric: Iran Has Attained The Knowledge To Build A Nuclear Bomb

Tehran interim Friday Prayers leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami. Press TV

Senior Cleric: Iran Has Knowledge To Build A Nuclear Bomb -- The Guardian

The Islamic republic has reached the expertise to enrich uranium not just to the 5% and 20% levels required for civilian uses but to higher levels required for a bomb, says Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami

An official site belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has quoted a senior conservative cleric as saying that Iran has attained the knowledge to build a nuclear bomb but doesn’t want to use it.

The IRGC site of Kurdistan province today quoted Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a leading cleric who often leads Friday prayers in Tehran, as telling a group of IRGC commanders in Iran’s Kurdistan province that Iran had the expertise to enrich uranium not just to the 5% and 20% levels required for civilian uses but to higher levels required for a bomb. “[We] can enrich uranium at 5% or 20%, as well as 40% to 50%, and even 90%,” he was quoted as saying. But he said the Islamic republic believed that the building of a bomb is religiously forbidden.

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My Comment: After this Iranian admission the question needs to be asked .... what will be the White House's response to this threat? My prediction .... they will ignore it and hope that the P5 + 1 nuclear talks will produce something in the months ahead .... and if not .... they will do everything in their power to kick the can down the road for the next administration to face and handle.

U.N. Report: Iran Stalling Probe Into Nuclear Weapons Research

The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) flies in front of its headquarters during a board of governors meeting in Vienna November 28, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Heinz-Peter Bader

Iran Stalls Probe Into Nuclear Weapons Research, U.N. Report Says -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Iran is failing to address suspicions it may have worked on designing an atomic bomb, according to the latest report by a U.N. watchdog, potentially complicating efforts by world powers to reach a deal with Tehran on its nuclear program.

The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran had still not provided information it was due to produce more than two months ago to help advance a long-running IAEA inquiry into suspected nuclear weapons research.

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More News On The U.N. Claiming That Iran Is Stalling It's Probe Into Nuclear Weapons Research

Iran failing to provide answers: UN nuclear watchdog -- AFP
Iran failing to answer nuclear questions, says IAEA -- BBC
Iran 'stalling' nuclear probe -- Belfast Telegraph
IAEA Says No Progress On Iran Nuclear Probe -- Radio Free Europe
Iran nuke deal seen unlikely after UN says probe stalled -- Times of Israel

My Comment: If Iran continues putting up these obstacles .... I doubt that a nuclear deal can be reached.

Israel Accuses Iran Of Conducting Nuclear Detonation Tests At It's Top Secret Parchin Military Site

...and Israel says Iran tested nuke detonators at this base http://t.co/zU0c5eU8m2 #Parchin @DigitalGlobe pic.twitter.com/F5md1snUvi
— Jeff Harrison (@JeffHarrison) September 24, 2014

Israel Says Iran Used Parchin Military Site For Testing Nuclear Detonation Technology -- Reuters

* Israeli statement precedes Iranian president's U.N. speech
* Says uranium used to test nuclear trigger technology
* Iran has denied IAEA access to Parchin site
* Tehran denies allegations it seeks nuclear weapons (Adds detail on IAEA investigation, paragraphs 21-23)

JERUSALEM, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Israel said on Wednesday that Iran has used its Parchin military base as the site for secret tests of technology that could be used only for detonating a nuclear weapon.

The Jewish state has been a severe critic of six big powers' negotiations with Iran on curbing its nuclear energy programme, suspecting Tehran is only trying to buy time to master sensitive nuclear know-how and would evade the terms of any final deal.

The Islamic Republic says allegations that it is seeking a nuclear weapons capability are false and baseless. Tehran says it is Israel's assumed atomic arsenal that is a destabilising threat to the Middle East.

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More News On Israel Accusing Iran Of Conducting Nuclear Detonation Tests At It's Top Secret Parchin Military Site

Israel says Iran used Parchin military site for testing nuclear detonation technology -- Jerusalem Post
Iran used military base to secretly test nuclear detonation technology, Israel says -- Haaretz
Steinitz: Iran Conducted Nuclear Experiments at Parchin -- Arutz Sheva
Israel: Iran Used Parchin to Test Nuclear Detonators -- The Tower
Israel Says Iran Testing Nuclear Weapons, Obama Stresses Diplomacy -- Algemeiner
Israel: Iran tested nuclear weaponry technology -- i24 News
‘Highly reliable info’: Israel accuses Iran of nuclear weapons tests ahead of Rouhani’s UNGA speech -- RT
Israel Accuses Iran of Testing Nuclear Detonation Technology -- The Wire

Former Israeli Atomic Chief: Iran Ten Years Away From A Nuclear Bomb

Is Iran Ten Years Away From a Nuclear Bomb? -- Zachary Keck, The Diplomat

A former Israeli atomic chief claims Iran would need ten years to develop an operational nuclear weapon.

The former head of Israel’s nuclear agency says that Iran is at least a decade away from acquiring an operational nuclear weapon.

According to Israeli media outlets, Brigadier General (res.) Uzi Eilam, who served for ten years as the head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, said that it would take Iran a decade to acquire a nuclear deterrent, and it might not even be seeking one.

“The Iranian nuclear program will only be operational in another 10 years,” Eilam said Ynet News reported. “Even so, I am not sure that Iran wants the bomb.”

Eilam said he based his assessment on his long history of working on Israel’s atomic and missile programs. “From being involved in many technology projects, I have learned the hard way that things take time,” Eilam said.

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My Comment: Bottom line .... with the exception of the Iranian government and their nuclear scientists .... no one really knows how far away is Iran in developing an operational nuclear weapon.

An Infographic On How Quickly Iran Can Produce An Atomic Bomb

WNU Editor: The Infographic begins here.

Pentagon Report: The U.S. Will Not Know If Iran Has Obtained A Nuclear Weapons Capability

Pentagon Rpt.: Unlikely U.S. Will Know If Iran Obtains Nuclear Weapon Capability -- Washington Free Beacon

The likelihood that the United States will know when a nation obtains nuclear weapon capability is very low, according to a new report from the Pentagon.

The report says that given the new pathways to proliferation, the United States is severely limited in its intelligence capability to determine whether a nation like Iran has obtained a nuclear bomb.

Bret Stephens, foreign affairs columnist for the Wall Street Journal, pointed out that the report directly contradicts what Vice President Joe Biden claimed in his debate with candidate Paul Ryan in 2012.

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My Comment: You would think that with the billions that are being spent on intelligence .... the U.S. would have a better idea on which countries are serious about running a nuclear bomb program. Apparently this is not the case. The above video is a must see.

Senior Iranian Lawmaker: 'Iran Able To Build A Nuclear Bomb In Two Weeks'

Iranian Cleric: ‘Having A Nuclear Bomb Is Necessary To Put Down Israel’ -- Washington Free Beacon

Top lawmaker reveals Obama courting Rouhani

A top Iranian lawmaker and cleric said that the country’s uranium enrichment program could allow it to build a nuclear weapon “in two weeks” in order to “put down Israel,” according to multiple reports in the Farsi language press.

Iranian lawmaker and cleric Muhammad Nabavian said on Friday that Iran would be able to build a nuclear bomb in “two weeks” if it gets “access to 270 kilograms of 20 percent [enriched uranium], 10 tons of 5 percent, and 20 thousand centrifuges,” according to reports on Iran’s Radio Farda and in Fararu.

“We are not looking for a nuclear bomb, but having a nuclear bomb is necessary to put down Israel,” Nabavian said, according to an independent translation of his remarks provided to the Washington Free Beacon.

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My Comment: A lot of revelations from this Iranian lawmaker .... from President Obama reaching out to his Iranian counterpart on at least five separate occasions, John Kerry mocking Israeli PM Netanyahu, and to the far more important story that Iran can build a nuclear weapon within two weeks.

Is Iran Only Two Weeks Away From Producing Enough Weapons-Grade Uranium To Build An Atomic Weapon?

‘Iran Two Weeks Away From Weapons-Grade Uranium’ -- Times of Israel

Tehran already reached point of no return, and is installing new centrifuges all the time, yet there is room for optimism about current talks, ex-IAEA deputy chief says

Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to build an atomic weapon within two weeks and has, “in a certain way,” already reached the point of no return in its nuclear program, a former senior International Atomic Energy Association official said Monday.

“I believe that if certain arrangements are done, it could even go down to two weeks. So there are a lot of concerns out there that Iran can hopefully now address, in this new phase, both at the P5+1 [talks between Tehran and six world powers] and with the IAEA,” former IAEA deputy director Olli Heinonen said, confirming a report released last week by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, which stated Iran could muster enough uranium for a bomb by converting all of its 20-percent enriched stockpile within 1 to 1.6 months

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Update #1: Fmr. IAEA Official: Iran Could Soon Be Able to Build Nukes in Just Two Weeks -- Washington Free Beacon
Update #2: Former IAEA Deputy Director: Iran Could Produce Enough Material for Nuke in Two Weeks -- The Tower

My Comment: If these reports are true .... that Iran is only a few weeks away from having enough material to build an atomic weapon .... then for all intent and purposes .... with all the talk of negotiations and threats .... it is already too late.

Top U.S. Nuclear Expert: Iran May Be A Month Away From A Nuclear Bomb

Report: Iran May Be Month From A Bomb -- USA Today

Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to build a nuclear bomb in as little as a month, according to a new estimate by one of the USA's top nuclear experts.

Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to build a nuclear bomb in as little as a month, according to a new estimate by one of the USA's top nuclear experts.

The new assessment comes as the White House invited Senate staffers to a briefing on negotiations with Iran as it is trying to persuade Congress not to go ahead with a bill to stiffen sanctions against Iran.

"Shortening breakout times have implications for any negotiation with Iran," stated the report by of the Institute for Science and International Security. "An essential finding is that they are currently too short and shortening further."

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My Comment: Tick tock .... tick tock .... tick tock ....

Will Iran Get The 'Bomb' Or Be Bombed?

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu points to a red line he has drawn on the graphic of a bomb at the 67th United Nations General Assembly. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Will Iran Get a Bomb—or Be Bombed Itself—This Year? -- Graham Allison, The Atlantic

Placing a bet on today's biggest foreign policy issue.

That Iran's nuclear challenge poses the most urgent threat to peace and security today is widely agreed across the national security community, and many argue that 2013 will be the decisive year for this issue. As former Mossad head Ephraim Halevy notes, Israel "has long believed that mid-2013 would be an hour of decision in its dealings with Iran." Henry Kissinger has recently warned that "we are in the last year where you can say a negotiation can conceivably succeed.... If nothing happens, the president will have to make some really tough decisions."

There can be no question whatsoever that in 2013 Iran could get a bomb; there is also no question that Iran could be bombed. But my best judgement is that in 2013 Iran will not get a bomb, and Iran will not be bombed. To be precise, I am prepared to bet $51 of my money against $49 of those who want to bet that by December 31, 2013, Iran will either have a nuclear weapon or have been the target of a major bombing attack.

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My Comment: My money is on neither happening .... and not for awhile.

Israel's Intelligence Minister: Claims Iran Wants To Produce 30 Nuclear Weapons A Year

Iran Eyes 30 Nuclear Bombs A Year: Israel Minister -- France 24/AFP

AFP - Iran is working round the clock to enlarge its nuclear infrastructure with the eventual aim of developing an industry capable of building up to 30 bombs a year, an Israeli minister charged on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said Tehran was "very close" to crossing the red line laid out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year.

But he said it was biding its time and building uranium-enrichment facilities before making the final push for weapons-grade material.

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More News On Israeli Reports That Iran Is Building A Nuclear Arsenal

30 Bombs could be Produced in a Year -- Israel Defense
Israeli Minister: Iran Plans 'Nuclear Arsenal' -- CBN News
Iran’s building a nuke arsenal -- New York Post
Could Iran become a nuclear superpower? -- Lee DeCovnick, American Thinker

President Obama: Iran Is One Year Away From Developing A Nuclear Weapon

Channel 2 anchorwoman Yonit Levy interviewing U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on March 12. Photo by Facebook page of U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro

Iran Nuclear Weapon Over A Year Away, Says Obama -- BBC

US President Barack Obama has told an Israeli television channel it would take Iran "over a year or so" to develop a nuclear weapon.

In an interview with Channel 2 he said he did not want to "cut it too close" and declined to rule out the possibility of military action.

Iran's nuclear programme is expected to be high on the agenda when Mr Obama visits Israel later this month.

Tehran insists it is refining uranium only for peaceful energy purposes.

But Israel has repeatedly threatened a military strike if Iran appears to be on the verge of obtaining a bomb.

Washington is pushing for more time to allow diplomacy and economic sanctions to run their course.

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More News On President Obama's Statement That Iran Is A Year Away From Developing A Nuclear Weapon

Obama says Iran more than a year away from nuclear weapon -- Reuters
Obama: Iran more than a year from developing nuclear weapon -- CNN
Obama says Iran is ‘over a year or so’ away from developing a nuclear weapon -- New York Daily News/AP
'Over year or so' for Iran to get the bomb: Obama -- Global Post/AFP
Obama Says Iran More Than a Year Away From Nuclear Weapon -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Obama: Iran 'year or so' away from nuclear bomb -- Jerusalem Post
Pres. Obama: Iran still a year or so away from obtaining nuclear weapon -- Haaretz
Obama Sets Timeline on Iran Nuclear Bomb -- Wall Street Journal
Obama to Israeli TV: Iran’s a “year or so” away from having a bomb -- Hot Air

U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry Concedes That Iran Is Close To Possessing ANuclear Bomb

John Kerry Concedes Iran Is Moving Closer to Possessing Nuclear Weapon -- ABC News

At the end of his first overseas trip as Secretary of State, John Kerry acknowledged that despite the continued diplomacy and tough sanctions being leveled against Iran, the regime continues to get closer to possessing a nuclear weapon.

"Lines have been drawn before and they've been passed," Kerry said. "That's why the president has been so definitive this time. This is a very challenging moment with great risks and stakes for everybody because the region will be far less stable and far more threatened if Iran were to have a nuclear weapon."

Kerry sat down with ABC News' Martha Raddatz in Qatar as his first overseas trip as President Obama's secretary of state wound down.

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More News On U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry's Comments On Iran's Nuclear Program

Iran "running the clock" on nuclear talks, Kerry says -- CBS
Kerry says Iran closer to nuclear weapons -- UPI
Kerry sees "finite" time for Iran nuclear talks to bear fruit -- Reuters
John Kerry Says Iran Is Moving Closer To Acquiring Nuclear Weapon -- RTT
Kerry: Obama will not let Iran cross red line -- YNet News
Kerry: Iran Closer to Possessing Nuclear Weapon -- Newsmax
Kerry warns of 'nuclear arms race' if Iran gets the bomb (VIDEO) -- Global Post

Does Iran Have A Plan B To Develop A Nuclear Weapon?

Iran's 'Plan B' For A Nuclear Bomb -- The Telegraph

Iran is developing a second path to a nuclear weapons capability by operating a plant that could produce plutonium, satellite images show for the first time.

The Telegraph can disclose details of activity at a heavily-guarded Iranian facility from which international inspectors have been barred for 18 months.

The images, taken earlier this month, show that Iran has activated the Arak heavy-water production plant.

Heavy water is needed to operate a nuclear reactor that can produce plutonium, which could then be used to make a bomb.

The images show signs of activity at the Arak plant, including a cloud of steam that indicates heavy-water production.

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Update #1: Iran satellite images raise nuclear fears -- World News Australia
Update #2: Iran exploring second route to nuclear bomb: report -- AFP

My Comment: The major powers met with Iran today over it's nuclear program. A proposal was given to Iran .... I guess this is their answer.

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei: Iran Is Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at NAM Summit. Photo: REUTERS

Khamenei: Iran Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons, But.... -- Voice of America

Iran's supreme leader says his country is not seeking nuclear weapons, but if it wanted to, no country could stop it from doing so.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all state matters in Iran, said Saturday that Iran supports the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Khamenei said in comments posted on his website that, "We believe that nuclear weapons must be eliminated. We don't want atomic weapons." But he went on to say that if Iran intended to have such weapons, no country could stand in its way.

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More News On Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Stating That Iran Will Not Develop Nuclear Weapons

Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei denies wanting to develop nuclear weapons -- The Guardian
Top Iranian leader says US could not stop Iran from having nuclear arms if it wanted them -- Washington Post/AP
Iranian leader: Iran not seeking nuclear weapons -- AP
Khamenei: Iran not seeking a nuclear weapon -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters
Iran has no intention to develop nuclear weapon – Supreme Leader -- RT
Iran has "no intention to build nuclear weapons": supreme leader -- Xinhuanet
Supreme Leader Reiterates Iran's Opposition to N. Weapons -- FARS News Agency

My Comment: I always liked former President Reagan's view towards nuclear weapons .... "trust but verify". I will trust the Iranians when they permit UN inspectors in .... but until that day (if it ever comes) .... when it comes to Iran's nuclear program I will not trust what the Supreme Leader is saying.

On a side note .... this is why I have problems with trusting this Iranian leader.