Iran Said to Have Nuclear Fuel for One Weapon
According to nuclear experts, analyzing the latest report from atomic inspectors, Iran has enough material to make one atomic bomb. Experts say that the landmark is primarily symbolic because, although they have enough enriched uranium for a single bomb, the material would have to go through a purification process and be placed in a warhead to be used. Western experts are unsure if Iran has this ability. Moreover, in order to actually perform these processes, it would more than likely need to first kick out the inspectors.
For now, Iran seems to be following its proposed goal of attaining nuclear power, without the warheads. The level of enrichment they have achieved is high enough for nuclear fuel, but the centrifuges would have to be reconfigured, a process taking a few months, to reach the enrichment level necessary for an atomic bomb. The landmark is simply that they now have enough nuclear material to make it happen. The Bush administration now claims that it is unlikely that Iran will make any moves to arm its uranium supply until it has enough for, not one, but several bombs.
Bridget Russell
