Today in Focus The truth about Iran’s nuclear programme
15 snips
Jul 3, 2025 
In this discussion, guests Rouzbeh Parsi, an expert historian on Iran’s nuclear program, and Patrick Wintour, The Guardian's diplomatic editor with extensive field experience in Iran, delve into the current state of Iran's nuclear ambitions amidst military actions by Israel and the US. They analyze the effects of recent bombings on Iran's facilities and the ongoing geopolitical tensions. The conversation explores intelligence assessments, historical motivations behind Iran's nuclear pursuit, and the broader implications for international relations moving forward.
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Contrasting Intelligence on Iran's Nukes
- US intelligence consistently assessed that Iran was not close to building a bomb despite claims from Israel and others.
- Iran's nuclear weapons program was apparently suspended in 2003 and not authorized by Supreme Leader Khomeini since then.
Iran's Nuclear Capability Ambiguity
- Experts suggest Iran could already have built a nuclear bomb if it decided to, but has chosen not to.
- The recent attacks did not totally destroy Iran's nuclear program, only heavily damaged parts of it.
Uncertainty Surrounding Iran's Nuclear Damage
- Despite severe damage to Iran's nuclear sites, key uranium enrichment capacities remain intact.
- The ambiguity is increased by Iran suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and refusal of site inspections.