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Iran Can Produce Uranium for a Nuke in a Week

(Institute for Science and International Security) David Albright - Iranian action to expand its output of 60%-enriched uranium is a hair's breadth from 90%-enriched, weapon-grade uranium. The reality is that Iran already knows how to build nuclear weapons, although there are some unfinished tasks related to their actual construction. Today, Iran would need only a week to produce enough weapon-grade uranium for its first nuclear weapon. It could have enough for six weapons in one month, and after five months it could have enough for twelve. Iran also has nuclear-capable missiles for delivery. Weaponization of the uranium still needs more work. An accelerated program to accomplish this could take six months and involve smaller, disguisable facilities, leaving little time for the international community to react. While this would enable production of a crude nuclear weapon, producing warheads for ballistic missiles could take significantly longer than six months. Western intelligence agencies may not detect the start of Iran's nuclear weaponization effort. Given short warning times, the U.S. and its allies have little choice other than focusing on a strategy to deter Iran from building nuclear weapons in the first place. Iran needs to be made fully aware via concrete demonstrations that building nuclear weapons will trigger quick, drastic actions by the international community, including military strikes. U.S. military cooperation with Israel aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities should be bolstered, ensuring Israel can decisively strike Iran's nuclear sites on short notice if there are signs that Iran is moving to build nuclear weapons.
2024-01-18 00:00:00
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