Iran Leader Proclaims U.S. Reversal a Victory

TEHRAN, Iran — President Ahmadinejad of Iran yesterday called the dramatic American turnaround in a new intelligence review a victory for Iran's nuclear program, suggesting it shows the success of his hard-line stance rejecting compromise.

But his more moderate opponents at home are hoping the assessment's conclusion that Tehran shelved its effort to develop atomic weapons will boost a diplomatic resolution of the nuclear stand-off with the West.

The political rivalry in Tehran could have important implications for what happens next in the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, now that the report has likely weakened two of the threats Washington held over Iran — more U.N. sanctions and the possibility of military action.

The head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency said yesterday that Iran had been "somewhat vindicated" by the American review.