Iran’s nuke weapons ability ‘greatly reduced’
Diplomats: the moves comes after Tehran diluted half of its material that can be turned most quickly into weapons-grade uranium
The United Nations will release a report this week certifying that Iran's ability to make a nuclear bomb has been greatly reduced because it has diluted half of its material that can be turned most quickly into weapons-grade uranium, diplomats said Tuesday.
The move is part of Iran's commitments under a deal with six world powers in effect since January that mandates some nuclear concessions on the part of Tehran in exchange for a partial lifting of sanctions crippling its economy.
A key concern for the six was Iran's stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium, which is only a technical step away from the 90-percent grade used to arm nuclear weapons. By late last year, Iran had already amassed almost enough of the 20-percent grade for one nuclear bomb, with further enrichment.
Under the agreement, Iran agreed to halt its 20-percent enrichment program and to turn half of its nearly 200-kilogram (440-pound) stockpile into oxide for reactor fuel. As well, it pledged to dilute the other half into low-enriched uranium.
Making weapons-grade uranium by reconverting from oxide or from the lower level would take much longer than doing so from the 20-percent enriched material, giving more time for the international community to react. Iran says it is not interested in nuclear weapons but is negotiating because it wants an end to all sanctions.
The U.N. nuclear agency is due this week to report on Iran's adherence to the deal and two diplomats told The Associated Press that it would say that Iran has fulfilled its dilution commitment while continuing the process of conversion into oxide.
Iran has until June to fulfill all of its commitments under the deal. But it has to show progress in exchange for sanctions relief, and one of the diplomats said it apparently decided to complete dilution now because it was eager to get its hand on the next tranche of some $4.2 billion of oil revenue funds frozen under international sanctions meant to force it into nuclear compromise.
The two are familiar with Iran's adherence to its commitments. They demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report, due for release Wednesday or Thursday.
The November agreement between Iran and the six - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - is meant to lead into a comprehensive deal placing long-term caps on Iran's enrichment program and other atomic activities in exchange for full sanctions relief. The informal deadline for that pact is July but that can be extended with the agreement of both sides.
-
U.S.: row over Iran U.N. pick not impacting nuclear talks
Iran has insisted Washington’s objection over their pick for U.N. ambassador is unacceptable Middle East -
Carter: U.S. shouldn’t bomb Iran even if it has a nuclear weapon
Jimmy Carter says Iranians realize any use of nuclear weapons on their part would have disastrous consequences Middle East -
Khamenei: Iran’s nuclear progress will not stop
Iran says it has up to 60 percent agreement with six powers over a final nuclear deal Middle East -
U.S. says Iran is two months from nuclear ‘breakout’
Iran’s 'break-out' time is defined as how long it would take it to produce fissile material for one nuclear weapon Middle East -
New round of Iran nuclear talks starts in Vienna
Iran argues it needs robust enrichment capacities, while the P5+1 members want significant cuts World News -
Iran hopes draft of accord follows nuclear talks
Tehran and six world powers will hold a fresh round of talks in Vienna on Tuesday and Wednesday Middle East -
Nuclear talks in Vienna ‘useful,’ says Iran
Major technical issues were addressed in expert-level meeting, says Tehran Middle East -
Iran, Russia working to seal $20bn oil-for-goods deal, sources say
The White House said such a deal raises "serious concerns," and is inconsistent with Iran’s nuclear talks Economy -
Khamenei says only a strong Iran can avoid ‘oppression’
Iran is struggling under international sanctions imposed over its controversial nuclear drive Middle East -
Iran and six powers adjourn nuclear talks to April
Catherine Ashton says the talks were ‘substantive and useful’ Middle East -
Obama urges Iran to seize nuclear talks opportunity
Obama noted that Iranians elected President Rowhani last year to strengthen the economy World News -
World powers and Iran start nuclear talks amid Crimea tensions
The United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - want Iran to curtail its nuclear program World News -
Iran says ‘too early’ to draft final nuclear accord
A key issue still to be resolved is the future of the Arak heavy-water reactor, which Iran says will be used for research Middle East -
CIA ‘suspends’ Iran operations chief amid probe
The division, which oversees spying on Iran and its nuclear program, was reportedly in a state of disarray World News -
Russia and Iran cozy up with fresh nuclear endeavors
As the nightmare in Syria continues to drag on – any substantial progress on nuclear talks seems even more unlikely Middle East