Why doesthe IAEA now suggests that Irans new enrichment is too modest?”
VIENNA – Iran expects to produce its first batch of higher enriched uranium in a few days but its initial effort is modest, using only a small amount of feedstock and a fraction of its capacities, according to a confidential document shared Wednesday with The Associated Press. But the document also indicated that Iran was keeping silent on whether or not it would ramp up production, which would bring it closer to the ability to produce the fissile core of nuclear weapons. The internal International Atomic Energy Agency document was significant in being the first glimpse at Iran’s plan to enrich uranium to 20 percent that did not rely on statements from Iranian officials. Iran says it wants to enrich only up to that grade — substantially below the 90 percent plus level used in the fissile core of nuclear warheads — as a part of a plan to fuel its research reactor that provides medical isotopes to hundreds of thousands of Iranians undergoing cancer treatment. But the West says Tehran is
IAEA suggests Iran’s new enrichment modest VIENNA — Iran expects to produce its first batch of higher enriched uranium within a few days but its effort is modest, using only a small amount of feedstock and a fraction of its capacities, according to a confidential document shared with The Associated Press. The internal International Atomic Energy Agency document was significant in being the first glimpse at Iran’s plan to enrich uranium to 20 percent that did not rely on statements from Iranian officials. Iran says it wants to enrich only up to 20 percent — substantially below the 90 percent plus level used in the fissile core of nuclear warheads — as a part of a plan to fuel its research reactor that provides medical isotopes to hundreds of thousands of Iranians undergoing cancer treatment. But the West says Tehran is not capable of turning the material into the fuel rods needed by the reactor. Instead it fears that Iran wants to enrich the uranium to make nuclear weapons. Iran denies
A confidential document from the U.N. nuclear agency says that Iran is only using a fraction of its capacities to enrich its uranium stockpile to higher levels. The document, shared with The Associated Press, says that only 164 enriching centrifuges are being used. And it says that only five kilograms — 11 pounds — of low-enriched uranium has been selected for the initial effort to enrich to 20 percent. Iran has over 8,000 centrifuges at its disposal, although not all are working. It has amassed about 1.8 tons of low-enriched uranium. Iran announced it had started the higher enrichment process on Tuesday. It said it would produce fuel for its research reactor, but there are fears it has embarked on what may be a step toward making nuclear arms.
