DLNews Technology:

The situation has taken a dire turn: Iran, in a disturbing escalation, has tripled its uranium enrichment rate, edging perilously close to developing a nuclear weapon. This alarming development follows the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel on October 7th, which the Iranian regime not only endorsed but was also implicated in orchestrating. Iran's support for these terrorists with finance and arms and its command over the attack is now evident.

Further, Iran's influence over the Huthi rebels in Yemen, who have fired rockets at Israel and attacked ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea, underscores Tehran's expanding regional aggression.

Amidst these tensions, a concealed yet grave concern over a nuclear-armed Iran has surfaced. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently warned that Iran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment. Inspectors discovered that Iran produced about nine kilograms of uranium enriched to a 60% purity level at its Natanz and Fordow facilities since late November, a substantial increase from the three kilograms produced in preceding months. Despite these findings, Iran denies any escalation in its high-enriched uranium production.

Reacting with profound concern, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States condemned Iran's sharp increase in uranium enrichment. The allied nations expressed that this decision reflects Iran's lack of intent to de-escalate and deemed such actions irresponsible in the already tense regional context.

The foreign ministries urged Iran to reverse these steps and de-escalate its nuclear program immediately. They emphasized Iran's obligation to cooperate fully with the IAEA to ensure its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and to re-accredit the inspectors dismissed in September 2023.

The diplomats firmly reiterated their commitment to a diplomatic solution and the unwavering stance that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. They argued that there is no credible civilian justification for the increased production, which poses significant risks.

Despite these developments, Iranian politicians have consistently claimed that they do not intend to build nuclear weapons, noting that uranium enrichment of at least 80% is necessary for a nuclear bomb.

How uranium enrichment works

Uranium ore is extracted in mines. It contains approx. 0.7 % uranium-235 (fissile) and uranium-238 (non-fissile)

Uranium is transformed into the gas uranium hexafluoride (UF6) and fed into centrifuges.

The proportion of U-235 in the centrifuges is increased by separating the isotopes U-235 and U-238.

U-238

The heavier U-238 atoms are pushed to the edge.

Gas centrifuge up to 70,000 rpm

U-235

The lighter U-235 collects in the center and is discharged.

The process is repeated several times, whereby the concentration continues to increase.

How are the different concentrations used?

Energy generation

Enrichment: 3-5% for nuclear power plants (large reactors)

Intermediate-stage nuclear weapons

Enrichment: up to 20% (often in research)

Easy to make bomb-ready Enrichment: min. 85

Source: USNRC, world-nuclear.org