John - you violated the first rule of the internet - no sarcasm - no matter how broad - will be understood on the internet. People are just too smart for that kind of thing.

John-537378 and all,

it is not that the nuclear materials and the utilization of such are evil, but it rather is the evil hearts of the Iran governing people who will more like use the material for the evil purpose with an evil intent to destroy Israel and its allies are evil, and their attempts to obtain any nuclear material must be thwarted. Their claim "using for medical purpose" might be true some what but nothing more than a pretext or a mask covering their wicked intent. They will not succeed.

john: If it was intended for peaceful purposes, why was there a need to smuggle it past customs?

Maybe they are going to peacefully load it on that stolen radar evading drone and fly it some place?

John, a lot of people here are obviously a bit slow........Brightfutures, should probably have been Notsobrightfutures.

Allowing Iran to have the slightest possibility of nuclear weapon capability is the ultimate stupidity on the part of the West. We live on the same planet and have a vested interest in global destruction. It's time for newsviners who rant and rave about human caused global warming to step up and demand that the west take ANY action necessary to prevent the development of weapons of mass destruction by any unstable government who is not an ally of America. It is in every American's best interest to protect and preserve AMERICA first.

Retired SFC - I think all nuclear / radioactive material has been banned by the world community for shipment into Iran. This could have had a medical purpose.

One of the drawbacks to non cooperation between Iran and the IAEA could impact things that are modern necessities - even those that save lives. But they chose to walk the road they are on!

The question now is to Russia & China: How much is a nuclear Iran worth to you, when it's being bombed?

IF this was really for medical purposes then it would have been allowed if declared in advance. this guy was smuggling it. Its not a 100% smokig gun but the temperature is definitely rising.

Israel doesn't need the US to take out Iran. But we would provide full support anyway.

It was only the religeon of peace folks who only wanted it for peaceful purposes........

I´m scratching my head over why the Russians would make a fuss of this in the first place. It seems that they take every opportunity to thwart sanctions agains Iran, and the two appear quite cozy.

Just a misunderstanding- the Iranian passenger was just trying to take the material home for their home "energy" production. Come on, what else whould Iran want isotopes for?

It's a funny moment- Russia continues to defend Iran's nuclear programs in the UN (and stymie the West), while publicizing the arrest of someone taking nuclear materials to Iran. I do know that they have huge trade agreements and that they are getting a lot to get Iran nuclear. I also know that the entire Russian engineering team whom assisted Iran in their nuclear operations died in a plane crash, so mabye there are some tensions too.

Marty-308743

I´m scratching my head over why the Russians would make a fuss of this in the first place. It seems that they take every opportunity to thwart sanctions agains Iran, and the two appear quite cozy.

Where do you think the nuclear material came from if the person transporting it was on his way back to Iran from Russia? Yes, that's right; the material was from a Russian Nuclear facility and they didn't want to get pinched for being the source of the material later on.

Just another sign of the mailicious intent of the Iranian government.

Considering that Khamenei is a puppet of Satan, it should come as no surprise.

Kudos on thwarting this tiny attempt.

Wow john...lotta people here are a little dim...i thought your statement was obvious considering the very last line of the article

Information on Sodium-22...

Sodium-22 can be used for calibrating nuclear detectors and in medical equipment, nuclear experts said.

"There is no weapons aspect to this (material)," said Research director Lars-Erik De Geer of the Swedish Defense Research Institute.

Found this on publicbroadcasting.net. It has no weapons-type applications. It is used in radiation detectors (my company has several of these for screening inbound raw materials we process), and used in medical applications.

This "story" has no merit, other than stirring up crap based on garbage...

This "story" has no merit, other than stirring up crap based on garbage...

No merit...other than it was being smuggled. Or that is was able to be detected at 20 times the normal level of radiation. Nothing to worry about at all.

Listen up!! out of all the situations and wars we had through out history Iran is one we as a Nation need to take head on. Iran is bitter and will go to any lengths to accomplish what they started and while the world is debating taking them lightly they are getting ready for war. I for will back up the President and Congress in any action against Iran. Iranian Goverment think they are the Soviet Union of the 60's and 70's but more daring. the United States cannot stand around and wait for the rest of the world to wake up because by then the damage will be done. This is not the US against the Iranian people this the Iranian Goverment imposing this and we need to step in and deal with it before real damage is done.

concerndone

It is radioactive material, that has been refined in a nuclear reactor and has much "higher" levels of radioactivity. Does the name "Dirty Bomb" mean anything to you? They did not say that the detained person was acting on behalf of the Iranian government and there are other groups in Iran that would love to get their hands on radioactive materials. A terrorist group with that much could easily make a dirty bomb and set it off in Iraq, Israel, or your backyard! Just because it isn't used for the fission or fusion processes that take place in a nuclear device doesn't mean it can't kill from prolonged exposure.

archangel i'm sorry but if there is a group in Iran doing this it is still Linked to the Iranian Goverment because look at the Example that there goverment is setting they are Defiant to End.

war is the last thing anyone wants and i'm going to be clear scared isnot a word that we here in the u.s. knows. we know how capable we are but is better to prevent and if anything happens then you and many others will say why we didn't act on time why we let it happen and look for someone to blame.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it Russia who detained this guy and reported the issue? If Russia supported everything Iran is doing, why would they do that?

I would hazard a guess that Russia's issue has less to do with supporting Iran and more to do with opposing the US...

By the way, I am getting SICK and TIRED of those DAMN "Account Validation" redirects THAT I NEVER GET AN EMAIL FROM, BUT THAT ERASE MY MESSAGES SO I HAVE TO START OVER!!!

PLEASE FIX THE MESSAGING UTILITY MSNBC!!!

E-8989685

Who cares if Iran ends up with nukes! They will NEVER EVER USE THEM! Dont beleive anyone that tells you otherwise. they know if they did they would be destroyed in a second by every nation on earth. Were just worried we wont be able to easily invade them once they get one. Its all lies to get us into another war!

Ignorance is deadly....

Mr. Ahmadinejad has publicly stated that Israel will be wiped off of the map. He has also mentioned the hidden Imam and accelerating the return of the hidden prophet and Jesus. The Iranian leadership believes they can cause an apocalyptic event that would require divine intervention.

http://answersforthefaith.com/2010/07/12/irans-ayatollah-khamenei-telling-advisors-the-hidden-imam-will-be-coming-while-hes-still-leader/

Its just posturing, to make them look good to the arab world. With 1 or 2 nukes that are not able to be inter continental. they cant do much harm before they would be swiftly wiped out, hence they would never do it!!

archangel - Read up on what it would take to assemble a dirty bomb. Sodium-22 would not be what would be used in a "dirty bomb".

Yes, "dirty bomb" worries me, but education tells me NOT to worry about this one...

we have war with Iran, Iran will win and we will all fall under Islamic rule they have our drone they have Nuclear capabilities and the west does Nothing like North Korea were just loud mouths with no bite LOl

This is just a diversion. The real smuggler walked in right behind him while the agents were busy.

The Iranian leadership believes they can cause an apocalyptic event that would require divine intervention.

as if we don't have plenty of those. the "new apostolic reformation movement" is a great example, and it includes rick perry and sarah palin.

sodium-22 doesn't have any uses for nuclear weapons, except for the possibility of a dirty bomb

this particular incident wouldn't have done anything to further the nuclear weapons program they are conducting. yeah they keep denying it, but we all know its there.

The leaders of Iran are NOT martyrs.

If they were, they would have already said f*ck it, and gone on attack mode against Israel

Some Islamists may talk a big game about martyring themsleves for "Allah", but the majority of Muslims aren't willing to sign the death warrant of their own families by using a nuke on Israel(or any other country).

Those "big bad" leaders of Iran, that we are supposed to be so afraid of, obviously don't want to die themselves. They are content to be at the top of the food chain in their own countries and wielding authority.

If they attack Israel or the US, they effectively end their own days of luxuries and power. It's called self preservation.

Iran just doesn't trust Western powers, after all the crap we pulled in their country and our(US/UK/Russia) interference in their politics and oil industry since WW2 ended.

I'd want nukes as a deterrent against more Western imperialism too, if I were in charge of Iran.

Ahmadinejad may talk about "wiping Iran off the map", but that is exactly what it is. TALK. He has to appease the religious nuts with anti Zionist talk, if he wants to stay at the top.

Correction to #1.33:

Some Islamists may talk a big game about martyring themselves for "Allah", and a tiny minority are actually sick/crazy enough to carry out suicide attacks, but the majority of Muslimsand Iranians aren't willing to sign the death warrant for themselves or their own families by using a nuke on Israel(or any other country).

This isn't suitable bomb making material nor could it be made into any. The purpose for getting it would have been for medical, research, or some kind of instrumentation.

Why did they try to smuggle it in?

Well, my number one guess is because so many people would jump to the false conclusion that this was weapons grade material and ramp up the "let's attack Iran now" rhetoric pushing the U.S. into a full scale conflict with Iran. Regardless of no evidence to confirm that Iran is anywhere near the nuclear option point, the drums of war are already banging from all the far right presidential candidates here except for Ron Paul. You simply don't aggravate those who are looking to pick a fight.

My number two guess is that it was obtained illegally or in such a way that they couldn't sell it openly and being "hot" (pun intended), it would sell for a much lower price than legitimately gotten material anyway.

It's probably both.

Mike-464493 You had me right up until you brought partisan politics in the equation. president Obama has said numerous times that ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE, INCLUDING THE MILITARY in dealing with Iran's ongoing nuclear (potential) crisis.

This is much the same as why we are still in Afghanistan - 3 years into the Obama administration. Battles that have to be fought are recognized as such by the right and left (depending on present company...!).

Of course they need too import low grade uranium...The high grade stuff (that they produce domestically) is used for other purposes (it's Da Bomb)

Our biggest enemies are not the Iranians, it is the people who would drive us into a useless war with Iran, another drain on our wealth, our industries and our youth.

These are the same people who 10 years ago, were screaming about the need for war with Iraq. How well did that turn out? Anyone know?

Yes, Iran can create trouble in the region. But even with minor nuclear weapons, Iran cannot represent any real threat to the US. Saddam Hussein would not have murdered our children, nor did he have the ability to do so.

I really am not willing to pay $20 for a gallon of gas just so that some fanatic with a chip on his shoulder against Muslim folk can have his lurid fantasies fulfilled. Sorry.

Of course they need too import low grade uranium...The

big mac, it was sodium, not uranium

Iran's developing medical research? Maybe they are trying to find the cure for cancer.

We should definitely attack them now.

We should definitely attack them now.

yea, we definitely need to throw another trillion dollars or three down a rathole. not to mention several thousand more American lives

(*sarcasm*)

WAR AGAINST IRAN ? ? ? Why not ?

• We need the REINSTALLMENT OF MANDATORY DRAFT.

With our politicians'daughter and son at the front, SUCCESS WILL BE A SURE THING. Let do it!

The Russians have to make a good show of it. After yesterday's reporting on the idiot engineer who let slip that not only did Iran hack and take control of our drone but they are working towards being able to do the same with a GUIDED MISSILE Russia is terribly afraid that maybe we are finally starting to put 2 + 2 together. Of course Russia and China have been supplying Iran the whole time. Why else would we have continually found Russian arms in the hands of Iranians crossing the border into Iraq to give them to Al Qaeda? Make no mistake: Russia is aiming at a shift in the balance of power in the world. They want their ancient position of influence and power back and they will stop at very little to regain it.

A war? How on earth can we afford it? We're tapped out.

Not to mention that both your ideas are terrible. A Draft just makes soldiers that don't want to be there. If you were in a combat situation, would you rather have volunteers that wanted to do that job or an 18 year Generation Y soldier?

If you are really buying the BS that Iran intercepted that drone I pity you. There is no way they could have done so, not even close. What had happened was whoever was driving the thing didn't play enough nintendo as a kid.

I agree that in the next war, that is sure to come, we have to make it a Requirement that the Politicians that want the War will have their son's and daughters in the front line's. That is the only way we can be sure we WON'T have another war.

Tarzan,
I have served with a few "rich" kids, who felt they had a duty to the US, but power and money are the biggest deterant to military service there is.
The wealthy talk a good tail when throwing their support for poor and middle class kids going off to war, but their tone changes 180 degrees when their kids are in the mix. You can almost get whiplash from the change in idiology.

Tohkrah

What makes you think that everyone that went to Iraq or Afghanistan wanted to be there? I'm sure most of them would have rather stayed home with their families. They went because they were ordered to do so. Being a draftee in Viet Nam, I went because I was ordered to. When you are in the military, regardless if you are a draftee or enlisted, you obey orders.

Stop the war mongering please, it got old a few years ago.

phillyfan, tromos long lost brother?

I agree with YOU, militaryman. All anyone has to do is google military service for senators and congressmen and their political party designation. The "did not serve" classification appears much more often on one side of the aisle than the other.

My thought on the confiscation of radioactive material at the airport?? This could have been a "plant" whereby the discovery of the materials would take the heat off the United Russia Party and the protests about elections and stuffed ballot boxes. I'd like to believe that Russians are smart enough to figure that out. Anything to make the Medvedev/Putin duo look better. Or maybe someone wasn't paid to look the other way.

In all fairness though, sitting next to 20x the normal level of radiation for hours would certainly create an uncomfortable situation for Russia if it affected the health of, say, a westerner! There would certainly be an investigation that would prove to be embarrassing to the effectiveness of the security service and the United Russia Party--namely Putin. And, they've certainly had enough of their own terrorist attacks resulting in fatalities, so if the transport of the material was successful and later came to light, it would add fuel to the current fire in Russia. Russian people would then have no faith at all that their government is doing anything worthwhile to protect the citizens.

Why else would we have continually found Russian arms in the hands of Iranians crossing the border into Iraq to give them to Al Qaeda?

Are you referring to the same Al Qaeda who hates Iran even more than they hate the US, and vice versa?

Iranians and most Iraqis are Shia. Al Qaeda is Sunni. Didn't Wolfowitz say the Sunnis are Nazis?

Now I'm confused.

That's how product recalls are done in Russia

No a boil on the buttocks of man. Doesn't that sound better?

That is well and fine, BUT the US also has MANY enemies because we just can't seem to grasp that NOT everyone wants democracy FORCED upon them!! Don't forget that North Korea hates us and is also building nuclear missles that CAN reach America. The fact that we OWE China trillions of dollars, yet they get MOST of their oil from Iran and will NOT tolerate someone interfering with their way of life, then there ARE the Russians who are ALSO deeply involved with Iran. This is a tragedy waiting to happen. Our OWN news sources DO NOT report ALL the facts, let alone a sliver of the truth. We, the sheep, are led to believe that we and our way of life is the only way of life to live. There are MANY people who realize what a spoiled bunch Americans have become with our excesses and shake their heads at us in disbelief. I live in America, and sometimes I look at us and think the same thing!!

Gambill,
Korea doesn't have a missile that can reach the US, but it can target US forces in South Korea.
If you recall, the missile test that N. Korea conducted last year dropped short in the sea of Japan. Only one missile they fired actually overshot Japan. That was the one everyone was concerned with.

The bottom line is: "I'm not afraid of the idiot who wants to buy 10 warheads, I'm afraid of the one who only wants one with the intention to use it." (George Clooney, "The Peacemaker") If Iran, or N. Korea, were to try to nuke a western country, that is how they would have to do it. A single individual with a portable device.

Yeah. I'm sure the Ruskies are reacting to this in shocked indignation at the behavior of their buddies, the Iranians. SHOCKED, I TELL YOU!!!!

<*rolls eyes*>

YEA!! We can only assume that they are going to bomb us in the future, so we might as well get a head start! We can't change the fact that we will probably go to war and kill ourselves at some point, but we can change the fact that we aren't at war and killing ourselves rite now!!

I was kidding and you're dumb.

America doesn't have to worry about Iran getting nuclear weapons. Why you ask? Because no matter what we think, Israel isn't going to sit quietly and allow Iran to start building nukes. They'll take care of the problem.

Tell yo what. YOU go and bomb Iran. And IF you survive, you can come back and tell us all about it.

Iranians know if they ever attacked the US we would completely annihilate their country with our nuclear arsenal. Every single Iranian would be killed. They know this!!! They have no incentive to ever attack us. Israel, China, Russia, Pakistan India and Saudi all have nuclear capabilities. I know it is very un-egocentric to think this but perhaps Iran just wants to keep up with the Jones's on their side of the world.

This all has a familiar ring about it. What was that other country? oh, yeah, Iraq... they had WMDs and don't think that Saddam won't use them, blah, blah, blah.

In the end it was all lies. Do we have to go through this again? How about politicians quit trying to drum up the next war and actually do something about the economy?

Bill-1496592

Iranians know if they ever attacked the US we would completely annihilate their country with our nuclear arsenal. Every single Iranian would be killed. They know this!!! They have no incentive to ever attack us. Israel, China, Russia, Pakistan India and Saudi all have nuclear capabilities. I know it is very un-egocentric to think this but perhaps Iran just wants to keep up with the Jones's on their side of the world.

You must have missed the speeches calling for wiping Israel off the map. You may have also missed Mr. Ahmadinejad's mentions of the 12th or hidden Imam. You see, a sane person might not attack Israel, however a religious zealot, seeking to cause a war that would result in divine intervention would. they believe that attacking Israel with a nuke would speed up the coming of the 12th Imam.

You can't make sane judgement calls regarding an insane leadership. They will attack Israel given the chance.... I have no doubt at all....

Go send yourself and your children if your so convinced- Iran knows whatever it does will be meet with nuclear annilhiation! And you can call them crazy all day long but they are not that crazy and you know it! Its all part of their "chest thumping" to stay in power - nothing more! When MA said he wanted to wipe israel off the map he was talking about those in power in israel- not the country of israel- even ron paul discussed this in yesterdays Rep debate. Just like north korea going nuclear prevents a us attack and anyone can see thats why they want nukes and afterall this material seized is not weapons capable anyways according to experts! By the way youll get your war with iran if the Repubs win the presidency and the weapons manufacturers will be laughing all the way to the bank.

EMB, you know this how?? You say "he was talking about those in power in Israel." Really? Do you have a hot line to the guy where he interprets his comments for you? What happens when one "in power" either leaves or dies? He/she is replaced by another, then another, then another, then another and so on, and so on. How many "others" do you think he should kill or "wipe off the map" before he is satisfied??

And do you really, honestly think that our involvement or retaliation using nuclear weapons on that side of the world will be ignored? What planet did you come from? Where the hell do you think the radioactive fallout will land? On Jupiter? Noooooooooooooo---depending on wind patterns, try CHINA (you know what they've got, right?), try RUSSIA (you know what they've got right?), try TURKEY, try PAKISTAN (and you know what they've got, right?) try INDIA (you know what they've got, right?) try Arabia, maybe eastern Europe. Cripes. Wake up and smell some coffee!!

"put in a luggage"? English not your first language?

Brightfutures - never made a typo? Never mistakenly used your when you should have used you're? Me, neither - that's the burdin of perfection.

burden

umgawa - please refer above to the #1 rule of the internet - "no sarcasm - no matter how broad - will be understood on the internet. People are just too smart for that kind of thing."

By the way - the numvber two rule is that ever4y poster will post the exact opposite of what their name imply e.g. RationalBob wll post - Mexican Spider Monkeys are being trained to kill by the Liberal Media. or - in this case I would be "Good Speler"

You're a riot, Purnell. LOL

@haskes : They must have been very educational videos because they have been "removed by the user". The fascists in this government did not want anyone to put two and two together.....

Ok, i will give all of you credebility because we all have our point of view but i will say this in 2012 we will be faced with the Iranian situation and maybe N. Korea will follow we live in a world that Envy us here in the U.S. how can we in a bad Economy be up for the Challange and deal with our Problem and help others, that is there Question and there Envy towards us. The United States has accomplished something no other country has Unity " United We Stand" it is the massage that we as a Country have Echoed. i'm glad that we all are having this discussion because you can't do this in any country. You guys have a good day

seriously, this endless war stuff is out of control.

I just wish we (Americans) would just leave the area completely and let you kill yourselves.. We (Americans) are not the ones that will destroy us all.. You watch and see what happens.

They do a good job of maintaining their own population without our help. I agree SNOOK, we need to leave and get back to taking care of things this side of the pond.

Funny how the troll above said it would be a disaster of unimaginable proportions...Saddam said that too.

Funny how the troll above said it would be a disaster of unimaginable proportions...Saddam said that too.

You are so right. It wasn't unimaginable. It cost us a few trillion in added debt, a few thousand lives, many times that in casualties, not to mention the Iraqi lives lost. However it wasn't unimaginable.

What do bet someone attacks Iran instead of the other way around? I would say whoever that is wants war real bad.

Hammerhead, tell us exactly what countries Iran has attacked, and when did that happen? Make sure your FACTS are correct, OK?

SallyAnn-4595694

Hammerhead, tell us exactly what countries Iran has attacked, and when did that happen? Make sure your FACTS are correct, OK?

You should pull your head out of the sand. Iranian 'students' attacked Sovereign U.S. soil in the 70's. They were recently caught up in a conspiracy to kill the Saudi Prince-Ambassador to the U.S. on U.S. soil, they sponsor Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorists, They are fermenting unrest in Iraq, they support the Taliban in Afghanistan. They have sworn to wipe Israel off the map...

Now we have evidence, by an independent global body, that Iran is likely pursuing nuclear WEAPONS. I'll bet you think Hitler was a nice guy too? He was only trying to form the perfect race, not engage in war, right?

The Right's wardrum continues, they don't need the story to play out, they see Iran, and radioactive in the same story, and that's it..."Nuke em" as the righty's say. I just have to shake my head, what ignorant, chicken hawk, bs, that comes out of peoples mouths (or keyboards).

I know it's tuff for alot of folks to understand why Iran would dislike us, and the west...mmmm Lets see....

1953 Project TPAJAX - US CIA and British Intelligence orchastrate a coup d'etat to oust the DEMOCRATICALLY elected Mohammed Mosaddegh.

Why you ask would we care about IRAN's DEMOCRATICALLY elected official? hmmm...cuz Mosaddegh was going to nationalize the OIL industry, and who didn't like that...hmmmm, ok i think you get the picture.

Anyway, all the righty's can't stand the truth...except ONE - Ron Paul, he says "Why shouldn't Iran have nukes?"

American needs to stop telling countries what the can and cannot do, especially when American does the exact things its telling others not to do. It's really pretty simple.

RayJax, what is this evidence and what is the " independent" global body? Are you referring to the assumption by the IAEA of the UN?

They ARE destabilizing the region.

Ya treat Iran just like Iraq and go in and get those unconfirmed weapons of mass destruction... it worked perfectly in Iraq, why would we second guess that strategy?

Feel free to go over there and straighten everything out then. Go enlist today. Your local recruiter is waiting. Take your kid with you, too.

Eric - Fear mongering for Israel? Were you also fear mongering prior to the war in Iraq? All these prognosications about Iran are in the same vein, as those about Iraq. "Better to be safe than sorry", cost America over 3 trillion dollars and the lives of 4500 servicemen and women.

Either some of you people are yellow cowards or you are shilling for Israel. The Jewish controlled media is behind every one of these stories about Iran, just as they were about Iraq.

Sure Ralph, and Hitler was really a nice guy too.....

The Jewish controlled media doesn't own or speak for the IAEA...

It isn't fear mongering... Evidence exists that Iran is likely pursuing a nuclear weapon. What will it take to convince you? A huge mushroom cloud over Israel?

Ron Paul - "Why shouldn't Iran have nukes?"

We've fallen for the fear of the unknown rhetoric before w/ Iraq. I try to learn from my mistakes and even from other's mistakes whenever possible. I recommend you try this as well. This mantra that perpetual war is the better alternative seems like a mistake to me. So with that understanding, I refuse to fall for the fear argument any longer. I'm tired of perpetual war, perpetual death and destruction. Period.

Israel is supposedly God's chosen people. Fine. Let God handle Iran if something needs to be done. Surely he has better intelligence than we do.

no nukes please, conventional weapons will do

The Russians have alot if muslims in their country and on the boarders.

France and England are the biggest recipients of muslim imigrants. Germany has a skinhead faction that is terrorizing the muslims. In summary the UK and the rest of Europe are getting a little nervous.

Go to London, there will be a camera on you most of the time.Something big is going to happen,it's just a matter of time.

It was some metal objects in a suitcase, not a nuclear weapon. You people have to get a grip on reality.

No more wars for Israel.

RalphH

It was some metal objects in a suitcase, not a nuclear weapon. You people have to get a grip on reality.

No more wars for Israel.

Ignorance is astounding....

It wasn't metal objects, it was sodium-22 in lead containers, being smuggled aboard a passenger plane. You have posted many anti-Semitic comments here... Are you anxiously awaiting the 12th Imam as well?

RalphH you must of served your country that you calling us Yellow Cowards. I been there and would serve my country again for the right reasons. Iran isnot Iraq by far and yes maybe Iraq was wrong and that will blinds us about Iran.

I did serve my country from 1958 until 1962. The article said:

NBC News reported that U.S. officials believe the type of radioactive material seized was typically used for medical diagnostics, pointing away from Iran's nuclear program.

It quoted an un-named U.S. intelligence official saying: "We don't know whether the receipient was a government agency. It's unclear why they would want to smuggle it in - we are still investigating - but it does not appear that this involves Iran's nuclear program."

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli intelligence overplayed the threat posed by Iraq and reinforced the U.S. and British assessment that Saddam Hussein had large amounts of weapons of mass destruction, a retired Israeli general said Thursday.

The Israeli assessment may have been colored by politics, including a desire to see the Iraqi leader toppled, said Shlomo Brom, who was a senior Israeli military intelligence officer and is now a researcher with Israel's top strategic think tank.

Brom stopped short of accusing Israeli intelligence officials of intentionally misleading Britain and the United States.

His assertions could, however, undermine the reputation of the Israeli intelligence service, one of the most respected in the world.

The Israeli military declined comment, while other experts said Brom was exaggerating.

In an article in Strategic Assessment, a publication of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, Brom said weapons of mass destruction probably would not be found in significant quantities in Iraq.

Brom told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that "Israeli intelligence was a full partner with the United States and Britain in developing a false picture of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction capability."

He said Israeli intelligence "badly overestimated the Iraqi threat to Israel and reinforced the American and British belief that the weapons existed."

Brom said the Israeli assessment may have been influenced by politics. "Israel has no reason to regret the outcome of the war in Iraq," he wrote, noting Saddam was an implacable enemy.

Brom ended his 25-year military career in 1998. Career officers in Israel traditionally maintain close ties with military colleagues after their retirement.

Yossi Sarid, an opposition member of parliament, demanded an inquiry. "If political factors interfere with intelligence assessments, heaven help us. That is the greatest danger," he told Israel Radio, adding that Israel's credibility could suffer.

"When we present dire information about Iran's arming itself with nuclear weapons, who's going to take us seriously? They can say, 'You exaggerated about Iraq, too,'" Sarid said.

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