Posted by
Tom L. on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:00:00 AM
According to the AP:
Iranian negotiators on Wednesday expressed support for a deal that — if accepted by their leaders — would delay Tehran's ability to make nuclear weapons by sending most of its existing enriched uranium to Russia for processing, diplomats said…[The agreement] would commit Iran to turn over more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of low-enriched uranium. That would significantly ease fears about Iran's nuclear program, since 2,205 pounds (1,000 kilograms) is the commonly accepted amount of low-enriched uranium needed to produce weapons-grade uranium.
But, as always, the gods live in the details.
First, no one really knows how much low-enriched uranium Iran has stockpiled. So, it could turn over the 2,600 pounds and still have enough low-enriched uranium to produce the amount of weapons-grade uranium needed for a bomb.
Second, even if they have not stockpiled more, the best estimates are that it will take Iran about a year to replace 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of low-enriched uranium.
So, the best case scenario is “we” bought some time. The worst case is we lulled everyone to sleep while Iran gets nuclear weapons.