(Israel Hayom) Dore Gold - If in the previous IAEA report in February, Iran had produced 5,451 kg. of low-enriched uranium, in the latest May report, the total Iranian production reached 6,197 kg. Moreover, to reach this quantity of uranium, the Iranians went from enriching an average 150 kg. per month to nearly 250 kg. - roughly a 60% increase! Because Iran could enrich its 20%-uranium to the level needed for an atomic bomb in half the time required to enrich low-enriched uranium to the same level, it is considered in the West as Iran's fast track to weapons-grade uranium. The P5+1 have focused their efforts for now on halting its production, in particular. The Iranian press is arguing that the West may recognize Iran's right to produce low-enriched uranium, if Tehran halts its production of 20%-uranium. If the West agreed to this formula, it would be freezing a program that at this stage might not even lead to one atomic bomb, while allowing a program that had already enriched enough uranium for six bombs. This sort of concession by the P5+1 should not be ruled out, if the Western powers are determined to reach an agreement this summer at all costs. For Israel, this diplomatic outcome would be regarded as nothing less than a Western sell-out to Iran.
2012-06-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive