IAEA: Iran Has Enough Fuel To Make Nuclear Bomb

The United Nations Nuclear watchdog, IAEA announced through a report yesterday that Iran has enough fuel to make a bomb and show that Iran had amassed about 2,227 pounds of low-enriched, or reactor-grade, nuclear fuel by late January.

Physicists estimate that producing the 55 pounds or so of highly enriched, or weapons-grade, uranium needed for an atomic warhead requires 2,205 to 3,748 pounds of low-enriched uranium.

The announcement seems to come as a surprise even to scientists, diplomats and arms control experts alike, who all thought that it would take Iran until the end of this year to amass the fuel needed to create a weapon.

One expert, David Albright of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, said he was "blindsided" by the report.

"We are surprised," Albright said. "We did not expect this."

By crossing the 2,205-pound threshold, experts say, Iran has improved its "breakout" capacity, the ability to renege on treaty obligations, kick out inspectors and quickly build a bomb.

Albright said, the uranium stockpile signifies "a capability, not a decision." And even if Iran made such a decision, it would face numerous major hurdles to building a bomb.

In reading other reports about this I personally am not surprised, See our other post: Iran To Have Nukes Within Three Months

and: Irans Secret Nuclear Ambitions Not So Secret and also: Cause For Concern? Iran States They Successfully Launched Satellite Into Space.

The last story if true give Iran the capability of not just having a nuclear weapon, but also of being capable of launching an ICBM.

Cause For Concern? Iran States They Successfully Launched Satellite Into Space

Photo by WharmanSending off alarm signals around the world, Iran announced the successful launch of their first domestically made satellite into space.

The U.S. State Department said Iran’s development of a space-launch vehicle gives the country the “technical basis” to develop long-range ballistic missile systems.

At a time when world pressure on Iran is building against their nuclear program, it may pose more trouble to the Obama administration at a time when they are attempting to reach out to Iran to establish a dialog.

Even France is worried and has expressed concern over the launch of the Satellite.

Though this may cause more international pressure to increase against Iran, time is running short. I personally doubt much will be done to stop Iran.

If nothing is done, they will not only have a nuclear weapon but the capability to launch  long range missiles as well.

U.S. Navy Intercepts Arms Shipment From Iran

The U.S. Navy has intercepted an arms shipment from Iran, believed to be for Hamas.

The search turned up ammunition that included artillery shells. But one official said that since Hamas is not known to use artillery, officials are now uncertain who the intended recipient was. They're asking Egypt to do another search when the ship arrives in port.