What is uranium enrichment and how quickly could Iran build a nuclear bomb?
Summary
President Donald Trump has stated that a new nuclear deal with Iran will be better than the 2015 agreement that the US left in 2018. The US wants Iran to stop enriching uranium, which it uses for nuclear power but could also be used to make nuclear weapons if enriched to a much higher level.Key Facts
- The US and Iran are negotiating a new nuclear deal, with talks expected in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Iran enriches uranium for civilian use, like producing electricity, at low levels (3-5% U-235).
- Weapons-grade uranium requires enrichment to about 90% U-235.
- Uranium enrichment separates the lighter U-235 isotope from the heavier U-238 using centrifuges.
- Uranium is mined and processed into various forms like yellowcake and uranium hexafluoride before enrichment.
- Most natural uranium is U-238 (99.3%) and only about 0.7% is U-235.
- Enrichment over 20% U-235 is considered highly enriched uranium by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Uranium is mainly mined in five countries: Kazakhstan, Canada, Namibia, Australia, and Uzbekistan.
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