Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Tuesday the Islamic Republic welcomed a new U.S. intelligence report that Iran halted work toward a nuclear weapon in 2003 and is unlikely to be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a bomb until 2010 to 2015.
"We naturally welcome those countries that had questions about Iran's nuclear case in the past and now correct their views realistically," Mottaki was quoted as saying by the state radio.
"The whole world is becoming to know that Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful," he added.
A declassified summary of the latest U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, which came out on Monday, found out with "high confidence" that Iran stopped an effort to develop nuclear weapons in the fall of 2003.
The estimate is less severe than a 2005 report that judged the Iranian leadership was "determined to develop nuclear weapons despite its international obligations and international pressure."
But the latest report also said Iran could reverse that decision and eventually produce a nuclear weapon if it wants to do so.
The report came amid widespread reports that the Bush administration is attempting to maneuver the United States into a conflict with Iran.
The United States has long accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran has insisted its nuclear program is strictly aimed at producing electricity.
Source: Xinhua
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