Why in the News?
Iran’s supreme leader recently said Tehran has limited uranium enrichment to 60% U-235 and will not pursue further enrichment to ~90% (weapons grade).
About Uranium Enrichment:
- What is it: The process of increasing the proportion of U-235 isotope in uranium samples. Natural uranium has only 0.7% U-235, while the rest is mostly U-238.
- Types of Enrichment:
- Low-Enriched Uranium (3–5%): Used in civilian nuclear power reactors.
- Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU, >20%): At 90%+ enrichment, uranium becomes weapons-grade, usable for efficient nuclear weapons.
- Methods: Physical separation methods such as gas centrifuges, requiring advanced infrastructure and technology.
- Implications:
- Low enrichment: Controlled power generation.
- High enrichment: Proliferation risks, shorter path to nuclear weapons capability.
Controversy about Iran’s Pursuit:
- Declared Program: Iran enriches uranium to 60% U-235, claiming peaceful purposes, but insists it will not pursue 90%+ enrichment.
- Global Concerns:
- Civilian irrelevance: 60% has no reactor use, only shortens the “breakout time” to weapons-grade.
- IAEA Monitoring: International Atomic Energy Agency reports show significant 60% stockpiles, heightening suspicion.
- Geopolitical Context:
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2015) capped enrichment at 3.67% but collapsed after U.S. withdrawal in 2018.
- Western governments see 60% enrichment as undermining trust, while Iran argues it is a deterrence and bargaining tool.
- Strategic Dimension: Keeps Iran on the nuclear threshold, enabling leverage in negotiations and projecting deterrence without overt weaponisation.
| [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production. Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1 (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect * (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct |
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