Iran Analysis: Hype & Substance --- 3 Key Points on Latest IAEA Nuclear Report

The International Atomic Energy Agency has completed its latest quarterly report on Iran's nuclear programe. As always, extracts were leaked by "Western diplomats" to compliant reporters to portray an escalating Iranian threat, buttressed by "analysis" from the Institute for Science and International Security.

So, cutting through the propaganda, what are the significant points about the report?

1. AN INCREASE BUT NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN IRAN'S NUCLEAR CAPABILITY

Click to read more ...

Iran Non-Story of The Day: Tehran Has a Plutonium Reactor!

Iran's heavy-water reactor at Arak --- still not an imminent threat to humanity

---

George Jahn of The Associated Press believes he has a dramatic exclusive this morning:

While international diplomacy has focused on trying to prevent Iran from using enriched uranium to produce nuclear arms, concern is growing about another rapidly advancing project that could supply plutonium for a nuclear weapon....

The United States and its allies worry about the plutonium reactor at Arak, southwest of Tehran. U.S. envoy Joseph Macmanus told a recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency — the U.N. nuclear watchdog — that the reactor is "of increasing concern" as its startup date approaches. Israel, which has taken a lead in criticizing Iran's nuclear program, is even more concerned.

Only one problem: the story is old, having been pushed by unnamed "Western officials" last month.

Make that two problems: it is not much of a story.

Click to read more ...