First Iraq, now Iran. The United States has operated under a cloud of faulty intelligence in both countries.

Iran's Natanz uranium-enrichment facility is pictured in June. AP PHOTO

In a bombshell intelligence assessment, the United States backed away Dec. 3 from its once-ironclad assertion that the Islamic republic is intent on building nuclear bombs.

Where there once was certainty, there now is doubt. "We do not know whether it intends to develop nuclear weapons," the new estimate said.

U.S. President George W. Bush said Oct. 17, "I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon."

Asked if he definitely believed that Iran wanted to build a nuclear bomb, Bush said, "Yeah, I believe they want to have the capacity, the knowledge to make a nuclear weapon."

Intelligence officials advised Bush several months ago that they were re-evaluating their assessments about Iran. They came to the White House on Nov. 30 and briefed him on their new findings.

Democrats did not hesitate Dec. 3 to suggest an Iran-Iraq comparison.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats had requested the new Iran assessment "so that the administration could not rush this Congress and the country to another war based on flawed intelligence."

"I hope this administration reads this report carefully and appropriately adjusts its rhetoric and policy vis-a-vis Iran," Reid said. "The administration should begin this process by finally undertaking a diplomatic surge necessary to effectively address the challenges posed by Iran."