CIA Director William Burns addressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, stating that there is no evidence that Iran has decided to build a nuclear weapon. He noted that Iran has advanced its nuclear program by stockpiling near weapons-grade levels of uranium, making it possible for them to quickly secure enough fissile material for a bomb if they chose to do so. Burns said that the U.S. and its allies would most likely be able to detect such a step soon after it was taken if Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, Tehran has steadily increased its enriched material for a potential weapon. Burns highlighted that it would have taken Iran more than a year to amass enough highly enriched uranium for a bomb under the JCPOA, but now it could take as little as a week. The U.S. closely monitors Iran’s nuclear activities for any signs of weaponization decisions.
Burns also discussed Israel’s capabilities in fending off Iranian missile attacks and its tactical successes against Iranian proxies, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza. He emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
Additionally, Burns mentioned the CIA’s social media outreach to disaffected Russians, which has produced results and frustrated Russian intelligence officials. He noted that the outreach effort has been effective in gathering potential informants.
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