The recent announcement by Iran’s atomic agency regarding its increased stockpile of 20% enriched uranium has drawn international attention. In surpassing 210 kilograms, the nation contravenes the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with several world powers, which stipulates that Iran cannot enrich uranium above 3.67%. Naturally, this development raises significant concerns given that uranium enriched above 90% can be repurposed for nuclear weapons.
Uranium Enrichment
It’s essential to understand the process of uranium enrichment to comprehend the issues at hand fully. Natural uranium is composed of two isotopes – U-238, which makes up nearly 99%, and U-235, which comprises approximately 0.7%. The latter is a fissile material capable of sustaining a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor. Thus, the enrichment process aims to increase the proportion of U-235 through isotope separation, where U-238 is separated from U-235.
Nuclear weapons require uranium enrichment of 90% or more, also referred to as weapons-grade uranium. In contrast, low-enriched uranium typically contains a 3-5% concentration of U-235 and is utilized to manufacture fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. Highly enriched uranium, with a purity of 20% or more, is used in research reactors.
Associated Concerns
The enrichment process becomes increasingly simplified and requires less centrifuges as it progresses into higher purities. To clarify, reaching 90% purity from 60% or 20% is significantly easier than starting from a lower percentage. This fact adds a layer of danger to the recent developments in Iran, as it ages closer towards the production of weapons-grade uranium.
2015 Nuclear Deal
In 2015, Iran agreed on a long-term arrangement regarding its nuclear program with the P5+1 group of world powers, including the USA, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany. This deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran Nuclear Deal in common terms, compelled Iran to limit its nuclear activity in exchange for relief from sanctions and access to global trade.
Under this agreement, Iran was permitted to accumulate small amounts of uranium for research, but it explicitly prohibited uranium enrichment, a process used to produce reactor fuel and nuclear weapons. It also required Iran to redesign a heavy-water reactor under construction, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb, and permit international inspections.
However, the agreement was abandoned by the USA in May 2018, citing its flaws, which led to the reinstatement and tightening of sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran has been steadily breaching some of its commitments in an attempt to pressure the remaining signatories to provide sanctions relief.
Resuscitation of the Deal
After several months of delays, the European Union, Iran, and the U.S. have recently announced that indirect talks to revive the deal will commence on the 29th November 2021 in Vienna.
The recent announcement by Iran’s atomic agency concerning the increased stockpile of enriched uranium signifies a breach of the 2015 nuclear deal. It heightens concerns around Iran’s movement towards the production of weapons-grade uranium and highlights the urgent need to resume talks to reinstate the deal.
