NPR just flat out LIED.

[AtheistCrusader]

35. Washington Post just lied.

He didn't say 'capability to build a nuclear weapon'.

He said 'nuclear capability'.


PANETTA: 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. 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. [...]

SCHEIFFER: Could we take out their nuclear capability?

DEMPSEY: Well I certainly want them to believe that that’s the case? [...]

PANETTA: They need to know that if they take that step, that they’re going to get stopped. … Our preference is that the international community, including Israel, ought to work together on this issue. … If the Israelis made that decision we would have to be prepared to protect our forces in that situation that’s what we’d be concerned about.


"Nuclear capability" is a 'dual use' phrase. It can also represent purely civilian atomic power programs, and isotope production for medical uses. Yes, it can represent a nuclear weapons capability, but this is not the only common use for the term.

I would call that a pants-on-fire lie by the post.