The Iranian Situation: Part II
1. What exactly is all this about?
This impending crisis arises from Iran’s refusal to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify that the country’s atomic energy programs are of a “peaceful” nature (that it isn’t being used to produce materials that can be used to construct nuclear weapons). , as a signatory to the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), is bound by that treaty to allow IAEA inspectors to monitor its compliance with that treaty.
Unfortunately, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has barred IAEA inspectors from and has further announced that has begun a process known as “uranium enrichment.” Despite Iranian statements that the enrichment process is solely for peaceful use many nations are publicly skeptical of these claims.
2. What is uranium enrichment and what is its relationship to international concerns about ‘s actions and intentions?
Naturally occurring uranium is composed of a mixture of two isotopes (an isotope of any element means that the number of protons in that element’s nucleus remains the same but contains a different number of neutrons than its “parent” element). The uranium ore (raw uranium) found in nature is actually composed of a mixture of 99.3 % uranium-238 (U-238) and 0.7% uranium-235 (U-235). It is that 0.7 % uranium-235 that actually gives uranium its heat-generating potential. Unfortunately the 0.7% U-235 content of uranium ore means that large amounts of ore are required to produce enough heat to generate steam that can in turn be used to generate electrical power.
Uranium enrichment is the process in which the percentage of U-235 is increased through the use of one of several technologies that make use of both chemical and physical treatments to increase the percentage of U-235 in a given amount of atomic reactor fuel. The relative percentage of U-235 present at the conclusion of the enrichment cycle determines what it can potentially be used for.
Highly Enriched Uranium generally contains at least 20% U-235 and is suitable for use in the generation of electricity.
Weapons Grade Uranium is composed of > 85% U-235 and is suitable for use in the manufacture of atomic weapons.
Weapons Usable Uranium refers to a U-235 content of at least 20% (but usually higher) and can be used to manufacture a crude, low-yield (relatively low explosive power) atomic weapon.
3. When did begin to develop its atomic energy program?
Iran’s initial activities regarding atomic technology began in the mid 1950s when the Shah of Iran requested, and was granted, assistance under the Eisenhower Administration’s “Atoms for Peace” program. Such activities continued until the 1979 Iranian Revolution when they were cancelled by the in response to the Iranian Hostage Situation. Since that time has turned to other nations (such as , , and the remnants of the former Soviet Union) for assistance and/or equipment that may have a “dual use” application.
4. What is behind the concerns about “heavy water?”
Heavy water means that the hydrogen atoms in water have been replaced by atoms of the hydrogen isotope deuterium, which has a proton and a neutron in its nucleus as opposed to the single proton of hydrogen. Without resorting to what can rapidly turn into a technical description of the actual process involved, we can say that a heavy water reactor is a reactor that uses the deuterium isotope of hydrogen to form molecules of water. The heavy water causes certain changes in the neutrons produced in the process of heat production that cause them to react differently with the nuclear fuel present. The fuel present can then be processed to extract plutonium, which can be used in a more sophisticated atomic weapon than can be constructed from U-235.
5. What steps might be undertaken to compel to comply with its responsibilities under the NPT?
The United Nations does not have a military arm that could be used to force to comply with the terms of the NPT and can only order economic sanctions should continue with its present policies. Another step would be an embargo on equipment and human technical assets that could be used to further ‘s military atomic technology program. As a matter of historical record, economic sanctions have not been proven effective in forcing compliance.
For Further Information about the Issues Mentioned Above
A much deeper discussion of nuclear fission and nuclear reactor technology can be found on the Wikipedia Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Reactor pages. Although some of these pages can be quite technical in nature, on the whole they are easily understandable by the reader.
Information on an Iranian heavy water reactor can be found in Firstwatch.org’s report located at this link.
The Federation of American Scientists maintains an excellent resource section relating to issues relating to all the subjects mentioned above (and many more). These pages may be found by visiting this web page and then following the links listed there.
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85% U-235 and is suitable for use in the manufacture of atomic weapons. Weapons Usable Uranium refers to a U-235 content of at least 20% (but usually higher) and can be used to manufacture a crude, low-yield (relatively low explosive power) atomic weapon. 3. When did begin to develop its atomic energy program? Iran's initial activities regarding atomic technology began in the mid 1950s when the Shah of Iran requested, and was granted, assistance under the Eisenhower Administration's "Atoms for Peace" program. Such activities continued until the 1979 Iranian Revolution when they were cancelled by the in response to the Iranian Hostage Situation. Since that time has turned to other nations (such as , , and the remnants of the former Soviet Union) for assistance and/or equipment that may have a "dual use" application. 4. What is behind the concerns about "heavy water?" Heavy water means that the hydrogen atoms in water have been replaced by atoms of the hydrogen isotope deuterium, which has a proton and a neutron in its nucleus as opposed to the single proton of hydrogen. Without resorting to what can rapidly turn into a technical description of the actual process involved, we can say that a heavy water reactor is a reactor that uses the deuterium isotope of hydrogen to form molecules of water. The heavy water causes certain changes in the neutrons produced in the process of heat production that cause them to react differently with the nuclear fuel present. The fuel present can then be processed to extract plutonium, which can be used in a more sophisticated atomic weapon than can be constructed from U-235. 5. What steps might be undertaken to compel to comply with its responsibilities under the NPT? The United Nations does not have a military arm that could be used to force to comply with the terms of the NPT and can only order economic sanctions should continue with its present policies. Another step would be an embargo on equipment and human technical assets that could be used to further 's military atomic technology program. As a matter of historical record, economic sanctions have not been proven effective in forcing compliance. For Further Information about the Issues Mentioned Above A much deeper discussion of nuclear fission and nuclear reactor technology can be found on the Wikipedia Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Reactor pages. Although some of these pages can be quite technical in nature, on the whole they are easily understandable by the reader. Information on an Iranian heavy water reactor can be found in Firstwatch.org's report located at this link. The Federation of American Scientists maintains an excellent resource section relating to issues relating to all the subjects mentioned above (and many more). These pages may be found by visiting this web page and then following the links listed there.Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-config="beside">
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