Sunday, August 26, 2007

Draft Report Logs Bleak Outlook for Iran

From The Guardian, Friday August 24, 2007 by PAULINE JELINEK and KATHERINE SHRADER, Associated Press Writers ....

WASHINGTON (AP) - A draft intelligence report on Iran suggests a change in the Tehran regime appears unlikely any time soon despite growing public anger over the country's economic woes, U.S. officials said Thursday.

The report also anticipates little progress in getting Iran to halt its nuclear program or stop supporting militant groups in the region, officials familiar with the draft said on condition of anonymity because the report has not been released.

The latest in a series of reports from the nation's 16 intelligence agencies, the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran is nearly complete and could be shared with President Bush and other policymakers within weeks, said the officials.....

...The report on Iran's political situation looks at issues ranging from the economy to its weapons programs...It says that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will continue in power despite rising discontent with the worsening economy....

....The new intelligence report also says Iran will continue to pursue a nuclear program that the United States and others believe is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.....

..... the report also says Iran will continue to cause problems in Iraq....

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