Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Netherlands also carry out Uranium enrichment but Iran’s nuclear program is controversial due to…
Iran nuclear program: Several countries around the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Japan and the Netherlands without any uproar or objections from the West, especially the United States. In contrast, Iran’s nuclear program nearly triggered a major war last month as Israel, later joined by the US, bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, after accusing Tehran of enriching Uranium beyond permissible limits to allegedly build nuclear weapons.
What is Uranium enrichment?
Uranium enrichment is a complex process by which number of uranium-235 (U-235) is increased in naturally-occurring uranium using giant centrifuges. Natural uranium contains a meagre 0.7% of U-235, and up to 3-5% enrichment is required to power nuclear reactors used to generate electricity.
However, anything beyond 50-60% is a red flag as nuclear weapons require Uranium enriched up to 90% or more, known as weapons-grade uranium. Iran has reportedly enriched uranium up to 60%, which can hypothetically be enriched to weapons-grade within a few months with proper facilities.
Why is Iran’s nuclear program so controversial?
According to UN’s nuclear watchdog, IAEA, Iran currently has allegedly 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build at least ten nuclear weapons. The agency claims that Iran can further enrich this uranium up to 90% within a few weeks or months, given proper facilities and equipment.
In contrast, countries like Argentina, Brazil, Japan and the Netherlands have kept their uranium enrichment to below 5%, which is sufficient for a civilian nuclear program.
Iran, which is a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has often been accused of violating the treaty agreements by keeping many aspects of the nuclear program classified. The Islamic Republic allegedly had a secret nuclear program till 2003, called the AMAD project, and only revealed the underground Fordow enrichment facility in 2009, after it was uncovered by Western intelligence agencies.
Additionally, the IAEA has claimed that Iran repeatedly denied its inspectors access to key nuclear facilities, and earlier this year, accused Tehran of being in non-compliance of the NPT regime for the first time in 20 years.
What are the regional factors that make Iran nuclear program a threat?
Iran is a sworn enemy of Israel and its leaders have often publicly called for the complete obliteration of the Jewish state, and a nuclear-armed Iran could indeed present an “existential threat” for Tel Aviv. Additionally, Tehran also has tensions with other neighboring Muslim countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, which is an ally of the United States.
Apart from this, Israel and its Western allies accuse Iran of supporting armed groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, raising fears that Tehran’s nukes may end up in the hands on non-state actors if it manages to become a nuclear power.
How did Iran acquire nuclear technology?
Several experts claim that Iran’s nuclear abilities are not homegrown but acquired via “illegal” means. Its believed that Iran violated the NPT agreement by secretly purchasing centrifuge technology from Pakistan’s AQ Khan Network and German companies.
In 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term as President, the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement signed during the Obama era. The US re-imposed sanctions on Iran, who allegedly responded with increasing its uranium stockpile by 22 times and enriching it to 60%, in violation of the NPT.
Can Iran still build nuclear weapons?
While Donald Trump has claimed that the June 22 strikes under Operation Midnight Hammer obliterated Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, conflicting reports have emerged saying the damage assessment may have been exaggerated and the facilities have not been damaged beyond repaired.
Additionally, there is still the mystery of the 400 kilos of 60% enriched Uranium which Iran can enrich to weapons-grade within a few weeks or months at secret facilities. The amount is enough to make at least ten nuclear warheads, as per experts.
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