Iran Caught With Uranium Particles at Undeclared Facility, Nets Spike

November 11th, 2019 10:38 PM

The Iran-friendly broadcast networks had previously defended the authoritarian regime from Trump administration accusations they cheated President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. But they were nowhere to been seen Monday night when a leaked, “confidential” International Atomic Energy Agency report exposed how the United Nations organization discovered uranium particles of “anthropogenic origin” at a previously undeclared location.

On top of that, ABC and CBS ignored Iran admitting they had an open case against an American missing in the country since 2007.

While the major broadcast networks were busy trying to cover for Obama’s failed legacy, Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier delivered the new damning revelations during Special Report:

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says uranium of man-made origin has been discovered at a location in Iran not declared to the agency. The revelation from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, is the first time it has acknowledged allegations made by the U.S. and Israel against Iran are true.

As the liberal BBC reported on Monday, the location at which the particles were detected was the same “area where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged Iran had a ‘secret atomic warehouse,’” during a U.N. address back in 2018. A couple of months ago, Netanyahu alleged “Iranian authorities had cleared and covered up” the site with “gravel.”

Last hear at that time, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt was too busy conducting a sympathetic interview with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to report on Netanyahu’s address or share it with viewers.

 

 

“Iran has not responded to the report. But it has previously said the site was a carpet cleaning factory and served no clandestine purpose,” the BBC added. “The IAEA's report also confirmed Iran had resumed uranium enrichment at its underground Fordo facility, breaching another commitment under its landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.”

In addition to skipping that revelation, ABC and CBS ignored Iran’s admission that they had an “open case” against retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who has been missing in the country since the later part of the George W. Bush administration. NBC did cover Iran’s recent admission, but the network failed to use the opportunity to report on Iran getting caught with that undeclared nuclear material site.

Again, Special Report touched on what the other networks refused to get within a mile of.

“It's unclear when Iran opened this case, but the move re-ignites hope that after a dozen years, Levinson could return home. President Trump tweeted, if Iran turns over Levinson, quote, ‘It would be a very positive step. At the same time, upon information and belief, Iran is, and has been, enriching uranium. That would be a very bad step,’” reported State Department correspondent Rich Edson.

NBC noted Trump made the tweet, but didn’t read it. Doing so would have revealed the part about uranium enrichment.

Edson, concluded: “There are several Americans held in Iran including a U.S. Navy veteran, a graduate student, and a father and a son.” NBC ignored them too.

The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:

Fox News Channel’s Special Report
November 11, 2019
6:27:31 p.m. Eastern

BRET BAIER: The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says uranium of man-made origin has been discovered at a location in Iran not declared to the agency. The revelation from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, is the first time it has acknowledged allegations made by the U.S. and Israel against Iran are true.

President Trump is encouraging Iran to release a retired FBI agent who’s been missing in the country since 2007. And while Iran is finally acknowledging it knows more about Robert Levinson than previously admitted, there is still uncertainty about his exact status. State Department correspondent Rich Edson takes a look tonight.

[Cuts to video]

RICH EDSON: For the first time, Iran has acknowledged that it has an ongoing court case involving Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent who disappeared there in 2007.

ABBAS MOUSAVI (Iranian Foreign Ministry): It is normal that a case is open like it’s done for any missing people anywhere in Iran, but this case is not judicial or criminal as some are trying to portray.

EDSON: It's unclear when Iran opened this case, but the move re-ignites hope that after a dozen years, Levinson could return home. President Trump tweeted, if Iran turns over Levinson, quote, “it would be a very positive step. At the same time, upon information and belief, Iran is, and has been, enriching uranium. That would be a very bad step.”

Less than a week ago, the State Department raised its reward to $20 million for information that leads to Levinson’s safe return.

SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO: We are engaged every day. Literally, every day. In working to obtain every U.S. citizen who is either wrongfully detained or a hostage somewhere around the world. That certainly includes Bob Levinson and all those who are being held by the Iranian regime.

EDSON: Levinson disappeared from Kish Island off the coast of Iran in March 2007. In 2013, the Associated Press reported that Levinson was on a mission for CIA analysts who had no authority to send him.

The State Department claims the Iranian regime was involved in taking Levinson hostage. And if he still alive, he is now the longest-held hostage in U.S. history. Levinson’s family members say that in 2010 and 2011, they received four emails including photos of Levinson and a hostage video where he says he’s in poor health.

[Cuts back to live]

There are several Americans held in Iran including a U.S. Navy veteran, a graduate student, and a father and a son. All while the U.S.-Iranian relationship has deteriorated further. Bret.

BAIER: Rich Edson, at the State Department. Rich, Thank you.