Iran has dramatically increased the amount of low-enriched uranium

Wash Times ^ | May 7, 09 | Bill Gertz

[MindBender26]

Iran has dramatically increased the amount of low-enriched uranium produced by its growing number of centrifuges that are part of its nuclear fuel production system.

This year's report, known as the Section 721 report after a provision of the 1997 intelligence authorization law, provided more details than a 2007 report.

A comparison of the two reports shows that Iran produced 75 kilograms of low-enriched uranium (LEU) in 2007 and about 555 kilograms of LEU last year, described by the CIA as a "significant" increase. Iran says its nuclear activities are peaceful and not intended to make atomic weapons.

The findings, similar to those reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog, come as the Obama administration prepares to engage Iran in a new diplomatic approach to the nuclear program.

At Natanz, the underground Iranian nuclear site, the number of centrifuges increased from 3,000 in 2007 to about 5,000 by November. Between December 2007 and November, Iran fed about 8,080 kilograms of uranium hexafluoride gas into the centrifuges to produce the LEU Additionally, Iran began using more advanced centrifuges last year, identified as IR-2 and IR-3, which were fed with test amounts of uranium hexafluoride.

Iran also continued development of Shahab-3 medium-range missiles with assistance from China, North Korea and Russia, the report said. Additionally, Iran is attempting to purchase advanced S-300 air defense missiles from Russia and "we judge likely deployment locations for this system include Iran's nuclear facilities," the report said.

[MindBender26]

The only people who would deny that Iran is making fisionable weapons are:

1: Fools

2: Those seeking the destruction of Israel

3: Those seeking the destruction of the US

3: The Obama Administration....

But those four categories are rather redundant, aren't they!

[gonzo]

Pictures, guys? ............... FRegards

[Jack Hammer]

Well, now, at least, if they never get around to making fission bombs, they can at least supply terrorists of the Moslem world with plenty of material for ‘dirty’ bombs.

[jeltz25]

all true, but W had 8 years after 9/11 to do something about Iran, including two years + when it was almost certain that either Clinton or Obama would be the next President...and he did absolutely nothing. He didn’t lift a finger against them. He could have easily taken the program out with the flick of the wrist and he didn’t.

Thinking he’d take action against Iran was a big reason I wanted him to win 2004 so badly, and in the end he really didn’t do anything.

Probably one of my biggest diappointments with him.

[MindBender26]

Gonzo,

From your old residence....

http://www.scooterschedule.com/flyers/TarponSpringsBikefest_2_28_09.JPG

http://unrealnature.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/atombomb01.jpg

http://www.freewebs.com/sharpaim/Atomic%20Bomb3.jpg

[Cindy]

A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

[MindBender26]

PS, I swear I saw your red Avanti on Alt 19 one day!

[PhilDragoo]

[Joe Boucher]

Am wondering how spent uranium artillery shells are made and from what?
Can they be loaded with just fissionable material or what?
I’m ignorant on this subject Too?

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[gandalftb]

Depleted uranium is simply the naturally occuring, non-radioactive, pure U-238 uranium. We call it "depleted" because it was once a radioactive form that was "worn out" from use as a nuclear energy fuel.

Uranium is the most dense, available, and cheap metal, next to gold and tungsten. It's extreme density makes it useful as a kinetic (moving with force) projectile for penetrating hard targets. Think of how much harder you can hit a baseball with an aluminum bat over a wooden bat.

It is not used for artillery or most bombs (too slow) but only for very high velocity rounds like HEAT anti-tank missiles. Our deep-penetrating bombs are jacketed with uranium.

[Joe Boucher]

Good job &thanks

[gandalftb]

As usual, these reports lack context. Iran having 600+ kgs. of LEU sounds very troubling until it is realized that their new reactor at Bushehr needs 500 kgs. per year to generate electricity.

The Iranians connot make zirconium fuel rods yet and will have to send their LEU to Russia to do so, in order to fuel up Bushehr.

Also, P1 centrifuges can usually produce 1-3 kgs. of LEU per year.

5,000 P1's should produce a minimum of 5,000 kgs. per year. Iran only produced 500....Que pasa? Iran is still learning how to use even it's simplest centrifuges. They are making great progress though but they are barely mastering low enrichment enough for their own electricity production.

Once these reports are offered with context to enlightened readers, they appear somewhat hysterical and politically driven.

[gonzo]

"...http://www.freewebs.com/sharpaim/Atomic%20Bomb3.jpg..."

You know I can't talk about that one ...

"...PS, I swear I saw your red Avanti on Alt 19 one day!..."

Quite possible up until December, 2008.

The beaste will be rolling over there Next week - I may be inland again, but I still love the Left-Coast, pal ................ FRegards

[gonzo]

Thanks, pal ... FRegards

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from May 10, 2009. I guess Obama didn't hear about it before this either.