Iran Joins the Nuclear Club
Wednesday April 12, 2006
Update 1
Iran has joined the nuclear club, according to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Sunday, Iran successfully produced low-grade nuclear fuel: the enriched uranium, at 3.5 percent, could run a power plant. Weapons-grade uranium must be 90 percent.
Details of Iranian Enrichment
ABC Reports that it would take thousands of centrifuges (the equipment used to enrich the uranium) "operating continuously for a year to have major output and 10,000s to get seriously into the weapons grade production." This does not appear to be a time-urgent threat, although you'd not think that based on the Seymour Hersh article. However, the US position remains an official commitment to diplomacy.
And Iran's neighbors -- India, Israel, and Pakistan -- already have nuclear capability.
Nevertheless, western nations and the UN are nervous. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrives in Iran Wednesday to discuss the development. He will report to the UN Security Council by the end of the month.
Peaceful Use Is Legal
Iran claims that it is entitled to nuclear power facilities. The ABC analyst agrees:
The NY Times reports the strategic task facing the US should we decide to eliminate Iran's nuclear sites. There are oil shipments to figure out how to maintain, along with preventing Iran from fomenting rebellion in southern Iraq. And then there are the 600-1,000 needed air sorties.
Is Ahmadinejad blustering? Recall Saddam Hussein, prior to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq -- and his blustering.
Israel, however, is calling for "a broad and determined international coalition" to confront Iran. In 1981, Israel bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq.
Iran has joined the nuclear club, according to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Sunday, Iran successfully produced low-grade nuclear fuel: the enriched uranium, at 3.5 percent, could run a power plant. Weapons-grade uranium must be 90 percent.
Details of Iranian Enrichment
ABC Reports that it would take thousands of centrifuges (the equipment used to enrich the uranium) "operating continuously for a year to have major output and 10,000s to get seriously into the weapons grade production." This does not appear to be a time-urgent threat, although you'd not think that based on the Seymour Hersh article. However, the US position remains an official commitment to diplomacy.
And Iran's neighbors -- India, Israel, and Pakistan -- already have nuclear capability.
Nevertheless, western nations and the UN are nervous. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrives in Iran Wednesday to discuss the development. He will report to the UN Security Council by the end of the month.
Peaceful Use Is Legal
Iran claims that it is entitled to nuclear power facilities. The ABC analyst agrees:
Iran does have the right to acquire a full nuclear fuel cycle for peaceful purposes under the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty (NPT), and the Iranian government has been able to find ways to justify all of its activities to date as research, related to nuclear power, minor mistakes, or the result of importing contaminated equipment. It has claimed that its concealed and secret efforts are the result of its fears that the U.S. or Israel might attack what it claims are legitimate activities.A Long, Hard Road
The NY Times reports the strategic task facing the US should we decide to eliminate Iran's nuclear sites. There are oil shipments to figure out how to maintain, along with preventing Iran from fomenting rebellion in southern Iraq. And then there are the 600-1,000 needed air sorties.
Is Ahmadinejad blustering? Recall Saddam Hussein, prior to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq -- and his blustering.
Israel, however, is calling for "a broad and determined international coalition" to confront Iran. In 1981, Israel bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq.
Aside: in the middle of the news from Iran, VP Cheney threw the first pitch to start the second season of the Washington National's. MSNBC reports he was "greeted with loud boos and some cheers." (tip)
See Iran Raises The Stakes from Globalization Guide Keith Porter and an analysis of the Seymour Hersh article by World News Guide Jennifer Brea. US Conservatives Guide Amy Hess says the US won't invade Iran "because we don't want to."
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