Former CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden said Thursday that if weapons inspectors don't find evidence that Iran has been developing a nuclear warhead, they're not getting "adequate access."
During an appearance on
Newsmax TV's "Newsmax Prime," Hayden tells host Ric Blackwell he's convinced Iran has something to hide.
Story continues below video.
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"If the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] does not come out of this inspection saying Iran was developing a nuclear warhead that leads through 2003 and have been lying about it then and now, if they don't come out of this inspection with that conclusion, I can tell you with high confidence they have not been given adequate access to the Iranian scientist or Iranian material," Hayden says.
Hayden and fellow panel member Fred Fleitz, a former CIA analyst, appeared on "Newsmax Prime" to discuss the recent deal cut with Iran over its nuclear program. The deal is now
awaiting the approval of Congress, which has 60 days to either approve it or vote it down.
In the meantime, it's been
reported that side deals were included in the larger deal with Iran. Those deals, said Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, could be the key to whether Congress approves the deal.
Cotton alleged that Secretary of State John Kerry wanted to keep the side deals a secret.
"These are issues that could not be resolved in the talks and I agree with Sen. Cotton," Fleitz says. "It appears as if we're trying to sweep these under the rug by handing them to the IAEA in a process that will not be opened scrutiny by the U.S. Congress and the American people. This is against the law and I hope Congress makes the administration provide these documents."
Hayden and Fleitz were also asked about FBI director James Comey's claim that
ISIS poses a bigger threat than al-Qaida.
"Did Comey just figure this out? Director Hayden and I and Newsmax have known this for two years," Fleitz says. "What's stunning about this is that the Obama administration would make a statement like that after what's happened with ISIS over the last couple of years."
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