CIA Director: Iran has no intention of moving towards building a nuclear bomb.
In an exclusive and lengthy interview with National Public Radio (NPR), the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, admitted that “Iran may decide to rebuild its deterrence and resume its weapons program that it suspended in 2003.” But we see no sign of such a decision today, but we are watching it closely.
Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas
In response to the Gaza ceasefire, Burns also said: “Right now, I still think there is a chance. I mean, I learned not to get my hopes up too high on the ceasefire negotiations and the hostages. However, I think there is still a possibility of reaching an agreement, and this administration will certainly do its utmost by January 20.”
He added: “Coordination with the new administration on this issue has been good, and President-elect Trump has also expressed his interest in trying to reach an agreement before the inauguration.”
Burns also responded to Trump’s threat to unleash hell in the Middle East if the hostages are not released, saying: “I think the gap between the parties has narrowed. There is an Israeli delegation in Doha right now, working through indirect negotiations, managed by the Qataris, with the support of the Egyptians and us. So I think there is still a possibility.”
He added: “The point I always remember is that the issue at stake is beyond the technicalities and the written details of the negotiations and has much greater significance and implications. This is not just about the negotiations. This is about human beings. This is about the hostages who are being held in Gaza. This is about their families, whom I meet with regularly. This is also about the civilians in Gaza who are in terrible conditions right now and who are suffering especially this winter. So there are many reasons why political leaders need to understand that enough is enough.” Now is the time to make a deal. I really think that the negotiations are going on in earnest and there is at least a possibility of reaching an agreement in the coming weeks.