(Institute for Science and International Security) David Albright - According to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) quarterly report on Iran of November 10, 2022, since the last IAEA report, the quantity of installed advanced centrifuges at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant has surged with 1,740 new IR-2m and IR-4 centrifuges, making the current installed capacity over 50% larger than it was in August. This reduces the time Iran would need to break out and produce enough weapon-grade uranium for nuclear weapons. This increase erodes further the value of a revived nuclear deal. Iran's breakout time remains at zero because it has more than enough 60%-enriched uranium to directly fashion a nuclear explosive. Iran could produce enough 90%-enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon within a few weeks utilizing only a few advanced centrifuge cascades. Iran can now produce enough 90%-enriched uranium for four nuclear weapons in one month and make enough for a fifth weapon within the following month. The IAEA concludes that "Iran's decision to remove all of the Agency's equipment previously installed in Iran for surveillance and monitoring activities in relation to the JCPOA has also had detrimental implications for the Agency's ability to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program."
2022-11-21 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive