Late February 2003: UN Nuclear Experts Certain that Aluminum Tubes Were Meant to be Used in Conventional Rockets

By this time, Iraq’s argument that the tubes were meant for conventional rockets, not for a centrifuge, is considered by UN nuclear experts to be “air tight.” [CBS News, 2/20/2003; Mirror, 2/22/2003 Sources: Unnamed US intelligence, US administration, and/or UN inspectors]