On the recordMarch 16, 2010
Iran's nuclear program is progressing at a rapid pace, and absent swift action, Iran could soon build a nuclear bomb, putting the United States, Israel, and the entire Middle East at risk. The need for Congress to pass strong and comprehensive sanctions against Iran is urgent. Iran currently possesses enough low-enriched uranium to produce two nuclear weapons upon further enrichment. Last month, Iran began enriching the stockpile of low-enriched uranium to a level of 20 percent under the guise of needing more highly enriched uranium for medical purposes; yet the truth is that Iran lacks the technical know- how to turn 20 percent enriched uranium into fuel rods needed to produce medical isotopes. Rather than meeting its medical needs, this step only puts Iran that much closer to having weapons-grade fuel that could be turned into a nuclear weapon. In fact, nuclear experts say this level of enrichment represents 85 to 90 percent of the work needed to produce weapons-grade fuel. Allowed to continue on this course, Iran could potentially complete the enrichment process in a few months at a small facility, according to former IAEA action team member and physicist David Albright. The IAEA has also recently raised new concerns about the military nature of Iran's nuclear program. In February, the U.N.…
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