THIS DOESN'T MAKE UP FOR IRAQ BUT IT'S A START

UPDATE: More on Powell's speech from the Arab Times.

Powell states the same conclusion that our intelligence agencies have reached. I know this won't change the mind of a neo-con lunatic but maybe it will have a calming effect on the rest of us.

Powell: Iran Far From Nuclear Weapon
By DIANA ELIAS – 4 hours ago

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Iran is far from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and despite U.S. fears about its atomic intentions, an American military strike against the Islamic Republic is unlikely, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday.

"I think Iran is a long way from having anything that could be anything like a nuclear weapon," said Powell, who was invited by the National Bank of Kuwait to speak on economic opportunity and crisis in the Middle East.

A recent report by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog found Iran has been generally truthful in the information it has provided the agency about aspects of its past nuclear activities.

Asked if he sees a U.S. war on Iran coming, the retired U.S. general said ... There is no base of support among Americans for such an action, Powell said, adding that the U.S. military already has enough on its hands in Iraq and Afghanistan.