Traces of uranium enriched to 27% found at Iranian nuclear site

[Mosby]

The UN atomic agency has found evidence at an underground bunker in Iran that could mean the country has moved closer to producing the uranium threshold needed to arm nuclear missiles, diplomats said Friday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says in a report that its experts have found particles enriched up to 27 percent at the Fordo nuclear facility. That is higher than the 20 percent declared by Iran and closer to the weapons-grade material used in the fissile core of such missiles.

The restricted report says Iran explains the find as a technical glitch. The agency says it is assessing that explanation and has asked for more details, while analysts and diplomats say Iran’s version sounds plausible.

Low enrichment is used to fuel reactors. The higher the enrichment level, the easier it is to reach the 90-percent threshold needed to make nuclear arms.

The news comes a day after Iran and six world powers found they were still far apart over how to oversee Tehran’s atomic program but wanted talks to continue to avoid possible military action.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/nearly-weapon-grade-uranium-traces-found-at-iranian-nuclear-site/

[ret5hd]

1. "The higher the enrichment level, the easier it is to reach the 90-percent threshold needed...

to make nuclear arms."

Really? Are you sure?

[Mosby]

2. Iran has enough uranium to enrich for five nukes, experts say

Iran possesses enough uranium to produce five atomic bombs-worth of weapons-grade enriched material, according to a report published on Friday by an American think-tank.

Analysis of the International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran’s nuclear program by the Institute for Science and International Security found that Tehran has 6,197 kg of light enriched (3.5 percent) uranium. That amount could yield five nuclear weapons if enriched to 95% purity.

The report noted that Iran’s average monthly enrichment of uranium has accelerated drastically since its last investigation in February, and that Iran is continuing to enrich its nuclear stock to 20% purity. The IAEA estimated that Iran has produced a total of 145.6 kg of 20% enriched uranium.

The IAEA experts also found particles enriched up to 27% at the Fordo nuclear facility. That is higher than the 20% declared by Iran and closer to the weapons-grade material used in nuclear missiles.

The findings showed Iran is pressing ahead with its uranium enrichment despite UN resolutions calling on it to suspend the activity.

The IAEA’s report came a day after Iran and world powers concluded a second round of negotiations in Baghdad that failed to yield a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-has-enough-uranium-for-five-nukes-experts-say/