Iran already has enough uranium enriched to up to 60%, if enriched further, to make three nuclear bombs, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s theoretical definition, and more at lower enrichment levels. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Iran is enriching to up to 60%, close to the roughly 90% that is weapons grade, at its Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) in its sprawling Natanz complex and at its Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), which is dug into a mountain.

“The Agency confirms that, since the end of November 2023, the rate at which Iran has been producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 at these two facilities combined has increased to approximately 9 kg per month,” the report to member states said.

Critical mass for U-235 is 56kg, and fuel grade Uranium is between 3-5%.

There are no legitimate non-weapons applications of Uranium enriched above 20%.

  • Siegfried@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    There ARE non weapon application for uranium above 20%, just not very credible.

    Fission detectors use a U5 90% coating

    There are experimental reactors (I think in english they are call MTR) that are designed to work with U5 90%. Most of them were redesigned to operate with U5 20%… or well… decommissioned. But I think there are still a few (1? 2?) of them operating.

    Fast breeder reactors require a higher enrichment… but I think it is credible from 15 to 30%, idk

    Note, I’m not arguing that Iran is aiming to produce A-Bombs