When Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure last week, Israel said it was doing so to disrupt the development of nuclear weapons by Iran, which it claimed was nearing capability.
Iranian officials have said that the country’s nuclear facilities are not being used to create weapons but solely for civilian purposes, primarily for the production of energy. The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency recently criticized Iran’s “general lack of co-operation” and warned that the country had enough enriched uranium to be near weapons grade and could potentially make several nuclear bombs.
Concerns that Iran could start making nuclear weapons have grown as Iran has accumulated more than 400 kg (880 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. The IAEA reported that Iran is in breach of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action it signed with several major countries stating that it would not surpass the 3.67% uranium enrichment level limit. The United States abandoned the agreement in 2018.
Understanding how enrichment fuels reactors and bombs
So what is the difference between a nuclear program used for civilian purposes and one used for military purposes?
Pran Nath, Northeastern University’s Matthews Distinguished University Professor of physics, says it’s first useful to understand the uranium-enrichment process.
Read more from Northeastern Global News.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File
