Above photo: CNN.
William Burns stated that the Islamic Republic made a decision in 2003 not to pursue nuclear weapons.
And Iran has not changed its policy.
Outgoing CIA director William Burns stated in an interview on 10 January that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program, following a decision it made in 2003, and that the US is concerned about the revival of ISIS.
In an interview with state broadcaster National Public Radio (NPR) to discuss his time as director of the notorious spy agency under President Joe Biden, Burns was asked whether Iran may accelerate its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons given the setbacks the Islamic Republic and its allies in the regional Axis of Resistance have sustained over the past year.
Burns answered that “the Iranian regime could decide in the face of that weakness that it needs to restore its deterrence as it sees it and, you know, reverse the decision made at the end of 2003 (an oral fatwa issued by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) to suspend their weaponization program.”
However, Burns clarified, “We do not see any sign today that any such decision has been made, but we obviously watch it intently. ”
He added that Iran’s weakness could instead lead to negotiations for a nuclear deal similar to the one signed by Iran and the United States under President Obama in 2014. President Trump later withdrew from the deal following intense lobbying by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“You know that that sense of weakness could also theoretically create a possibility for serious negotiations, too. And, you know, that’s something the new administration is going to have to sort through. I mean, it’s something I have a lot of experience in with the secret talks a decade ago, a little more than a decade ago with the Iranians. So, you know, that’s that’s also a possibility,” Burns stated.
Regarding the negotiations for a possible ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Burns said he believes there is a chance for an agreement.
“I think the gaps between the parties have narrowed. There’s an Israeli delegation in Doha right now working through proximity talks managed by the Qataris, with the support of the Egyptians and with our support. So, I think there’s a chance.”
Burns stated the time was right to reach a deal to end the war because Israeli captives held by Hamas are suffering, as are Palestinians in Gaza.
“So there’s every reason for political leaders to recognize that enough is enough. That perfect is rarely on the menu in the Middle East, and that, you know, it’s time to make a deal.”
The outgoing CIA director did not mention the thousands of Palestinians still held captive in Israeli prisons, or the over 46,000 killed by Israeli bombing over the course of the 15-month war.
Burns was then asked about the state of ISIS in the world following the terror attack in New Orleans that was carried out by a man who US authorities have tried to claim was inspired by ISIS.
Burns claimed that “we’re quite concerned” and that ISIS constitutes a “rising threat.”
“We can see the external plotting that particular branch of ISIS is engaged in. And, you know, we’re very sharply focused as an agency on dealing with that threat, you know, supporting the FBI in the New Orleans case, where, as the FBI has said publicly, and their belief is that you know, the man who perpetrated that horrific act was inspired by ISIS but operated alone.”
“And we continue to focus, along with others in the US government, you know, on the ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria, and over the last few years have, you know, had successful strikes against ISIS some years in that part of the world, too,” he added.
The US government says it is fighting ISIS, despite its past support for the terror group in Iraq and Syria, and its usefulness in justifying a US military occupation in Syria and presence in Iraq.
Burns also claimed, “We’ve stayed focused on Al Qaeda, as well,” citing the killing of former Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, Afghanistan, in the summer of 2022.
“I think, evidence of our continuing commitment to deal with potential terrorist threats coming out of Afghanistan, in this case from Al Qaeda.”
At the same time, the Biden administration has supported the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for years, including after it conquered Damascus from its stronghold of Idlib Governorate in early December.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa previously vowed allegiance to Zawahiri after splitting from his former boss, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2013.