A Not-So-Revolting Development

Pentagon chief Leon Panetta admits that the US doesn't believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons, in what will surely be grounds for his immediate termination in the eyes of most Republican lawmakers.

Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, Panetta admitted that despite all the rhetoric, Iran is not pursuing the ability to split atoms with weapons, saying it is instead pursuing “a nuclear capability.”

That “capability” falls in line with what Iran has said for years: that it is developing nuclear energy facilities, not nuclear weapons.

“I think the pressure of the sanctions, the diplomatic pressures from everywhere, Europe, the United States, elsewhere, it’s working to put pressure on them,” Panetta explained on Sunday. “To make them understand that they cannot continue to do what they’re doing. Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. But we know that they’re trying to develop a nuclear capability, and that’s what concerns us. And our red line to Iran is, do not develop a nuclear weapon. That’s a red line for us.” 

That is a major development.  If Iran isn't developing nuclear weapons, then the sanctions don't exactly make a whole lot of sense. On the other hand, Republicans will complain about President Obama's handling of Iran anyway, even as they continue to call him weak on the Warren Terrah even after getting bin Laden.

There's more at play here, and I think it has a lot to do with wanting to get Iran to the table than it does wanting to get them in the crosshairs.  We'll see if the pressure cause them to want to deal.