Intel Community Urges Media Silence on Iranian Defector

ABC News reported yesterday that an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected to the U.S. Many in the intelligence community though are rightly concerned about the repercussions from making this information public.

ABC News reported yesterday that an Iranian nuclear scientist, Shahram Amiri, defected to the U.S. and is giving the CIA information about Iran’s nuclear program.  When FrumForum asked its sources about the story, a brick wall went up.  One former CIA official told FrumForum that many fellow journalists were experiencing the same stonewalling because “tight lips don’t sink ships.”

Those former CIA officials interviewed felt that it was important to keep the Iranians guessing about information gained.  One commented that they hoped “the Iranians were worried because they are probably trying to figure out what happened.”  As another former high ranking CIA official noted, “I figure some of the stuff coming out is speculative.  Some bogus information might be intentionally floated out there just to confuse people.”

A former operative sadly noted that “this was irresponsible reporting on many fronts.  Besides our national security there is a human side to this story.  Now the guy’s family, who he left in Iran, is in danger.  This was a real disservice.”

General Michael Hayden once stated about interrogation techniques that: “I am just arguing for the fact that it is not wise to broadcast that these are the limits and we are not going to go any further.” In other words, concerning leaks, stories, and dissipating information, national security should be at the forefront and our game plan should never be made public.