The U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in a short visit to Kabul said the estimate, released underscores the need for the international community to continue pressuring Iran not to restart its nuclear weapons program.

“As long as they continue with their enrichment activities, then the opportunity to resume that nuclear weapons program is always present,” he said.

He urged nations of the world “to join the United States in bringing pressure to bear on the Iranian government.”

This, he said, will help “ensure that what apparently was a suspension in 2003 becomes a policy of the Iranian government and that they agree to the requirements of the international community in terms of their enrichment program.”