Iran, if it really wanted to could have gone for the bomb a lot earlier than Iraq. It had, and still has the necessary scientific community (6,000) to go for it, BUT IT DIDN'T AND DOESN'T INTEND TO.
WHY?
Because of the mullahs; they think its un-Islamic. The mullahs shut down the Shah's nuclear program, and only really became interested in peaceful civilian nuclear power use in the late eighties and nineties.
The present Supreme Leader has issued a FATWA against the development and use of nuclear weapons (1996)-----so the idea that they were developing nuclear weapons up to 2003 MAY BE INCORRECT.
It is clear. That more than anything else, this fact should be a guide as to why Iran under the mullahs will never go for nuclear weapons. But of course from a secular Western logical point of view such a policy explanation may be difficult to accept or understand. We sometimes make the mistake of judging others by our own standards and values.
In addition again from from a secular perspective it would seem logical given the neighborhood, that Iran should develop nuclear weapons, albeit a small number. But logic, religion and the mullahs don't go well together.
Is this a justification for the mullahs to stay in power? No of course not. They never should have been bought into power by the USA/UK covertly in the first place IN 1979. Think of all the harm that such a 'clever' policy has created for America.
The mullahs are managed in power by the manipulation and direction of the UK, which still exercises great influence in the country via the intelligence agencies of Iran, and direct contact with the leaders.
The mullahs have been in power for 28 years, and they have the support of about 20-30% of the population, mainly the villagers and urban poor. The mullahs reciprocate this support with free food and subsidised fuels.
The USA can topple the mullahs if it so desires, but thus far it seems the Bush administration has been more interested in military action based on false allegations of nuclear weapons programs, or that Tehran backs SUNNI groups in Iraq which kill American troops and other such nonsense. Such a policy is incorrect and can only harm America. Attacking Iran militarily is a high risk policy by the Americans which ever way you look at it, though of course it is the Israelis and their American assets which are most vigorously pushing for this option.
The NIE by stating that Iran POSSIBLY had an active nuclear bomb program up to 2003 leave the option of an attack open in the distant future, though the level of urgency has been taken out of the atmosphere.
