here we go again: Iran Said to Have Nuclear Fuel for One Weapon

[spanone]

'said to have'....i like that


Iran has now produced roughly enough nuclear material to make, with added purification, a single atom bomb, according to nuclear experts analyzing the latest report from global atomic inspectors.

The figures detailing Iran’s progress were contained in a routine update on Wednesday from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has been conducting inspections of the country’s main nuclear plant at Natanz. The report concluded that as of early this month, Iran had made 630 kilograms, or about 1,390 pounds, of low-enriched uranium.

Several experts said that was enough for a bomb, but they cautioned that the milestone was mostly symbolic, because Iran would have to take additional steps. Not only would it have to breach its international agreements and kick out the inspectors, but it would also have to further purify the fuel and put it into a warhead design — a technical advance that Western experts are unsure Iran has yet achieved.

“They clearly have enough material for a bomb,” said Richard L. Garwin, a top nuclear physicist who helped invent the hydrogen bomb and has advised Washington for decades. “They know how to do the enrichment. Whether they know how to design a bomb, well, that’s another matter.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/world/middleeast/20nuke.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

[Ian David]

1. BREAKING: Iran knows how to use Google. n/t

[sofa king]

2. Keep trying, Uncle Dick.

You may yet get your war.

[anonymous171]

3. I saw "low-enriched uranium" and stopped reading

[rucky]

14. Wouldn't that make those DU bombs we dropped on Iraq by the truckload?

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. And so?

Even if they have the material, and even if they have the expertise, and even if they have the time and opportunity to build a bomb


what are they going to do with it?

They are certainly not going to attack the US. We'd turn half the country into glass in retaliation, and they know it.

They are certainly not going to attack Israel. They'd turn ALL that country into glass in retaliation, and they know it. Not to mention that Islamists are not going to destroy Jerusalem, which has the 3rd most important Muslim site in the world. They could only use it on countries that are not capable of hitting them back with nukes - that rules out all of Europe (NATO), the US, Israel, Pakistan, India, Russia (and its satellites). They could take on Iraq (after the US is gone) or Afghanistan, or Saudi Arabia or the Emirates - but it has been 1500 years since the Persians have invaded anybody, so why would they? And if they wanted to, they could do it with less reprecussions by actual invasion - they are the big dog, they have the largest population in the neighborhood by far, until you get to Pakistan which doesn't border on them anyway.

So even if they get it, they are not going to use it. And a weapon that is not going to be used is no threat.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Hey! That's What I Was Gonna Say!

I thought the very same thing. This "threat" is a big so what?
The Professor

[spanone]

6. the only 'so what' is the propaganda value

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Pretty Much We Were Saying

So, that makes three of us who see it.
GAC

[yodermon]

17. Well the rightwing talking point is that they'd sneak it to a terrorist group

and then let them use it. If that happened, however, everyone would assume Iran was the culprit, and Tehran would be instantly glassified.

IOW, it's in Iran's interest to keep nukes *out* of the hands of terrorists.

[SidDithers]

8. Call me if they ever enrich past 3%...nt

Sid

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Yeah. 3% Isn't Exactly Weapon Grade, Is It?

Like spanone said, this is just being published for its propaganda value.
The Professor

[SidDithers]

10. Lots of work, lots of energy, and lots of time required...

to go from fuel-grade enriched uranium at 3% to weapons-grade at 85%.

This story kinda falls into the "OMG!! They're doing exactly what they said they were going to do!!" category. :)

Glad to see smart DU'ers figured that out pretty quickly.

Cheers.

Sid

[hunter]

11. As a U.S. citizen it is your duty to be afraid!

A true patriot would shit in his pants, fall down, and beg to be a man-servant in Dick Cheney's secret bunker.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. OK. I'm Applying For That Job As Soon As I Post This

Good thing you reminded me. I almost forgot
The Professor

[spanone]

13. i'm skeered sheetless

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. I wouldn't put it past them.

Iran announced awhile ago they had a large amount of UF₆. Only a short matter of time before they have weapons grade material.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. How Long?

Give us your expert opinion. Remember i'm a chemistry professor.
GAC

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Shouldn't be more than three or four years.

It didn't take very long for the Americans to do it with the Manhattan project. The Iranians announced their UF₆ round about two years ago if I'm remembering correctly. I suppose it's safe to assume they were already working on enrichment when they made the announcement. And it probably won't take them quite as long as it took that Manhattan project.

"Remember i'm a chemistry professor."

Yes, I'm familiar with your knowledge of chemistry.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Apparently You're Not

Three or four years is laughable speculation.

Baseless nonsense.
GAC

[deaniac21]

19. When Obama takes office they will become our friends.