Obfuscating Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program

During an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer shortly before the Super Bowl on February 5, President Obama was asked about Iran’s nuclear weapons program and the possibility of an Israeli airstrike. “I don’t think that Israel has made a decision on what they need to do,” Obama said. “I think they, like us, believe that Iran has to stand down on its nuclear weapons program. Until they do, I think Israel rightly is going to be very concerned, and we are as well.”

At least the president spoke candidly of Iran’s “nuclear weapons program,” even if there is no evidence the mullahs are willing to “stand down.” This is something the U.S. intelligence community has a difficult time doing. America’s top spooks prefer to obfuscate the issue.