\n <\/p>\n
Likely harmed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Over the decades, Iran built up scientific and engineering expertise in nuclear technology.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel says it killed at least 14 of Iran\u2019s leading nuclear experts in the recent attacks. But there is another tier of scientists in Iran who share much of that knowledge. If past experience from previous assassinations of nuclear talent holds, over time, they will likely be able to carry on the work.<\/p>\n Likely harmed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Over the decades, Iran built up scientific and engineering expertise in nuclear technology.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel says it killed at least 14 of Iran\u2019s leading nuclear experts in the recent attacks. But there is another tier of scientists in Iran who share much of that knowledge. If past experience from previous assassinations of nuclear talent holds, over time, they will likely be able to carry on the work.<\/p>\n Appears unaffected<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Iran has two active uranium mines, both in central Iran. Iran has not reported how much it has mined in recent years, but the material it says is contained in one of the mines, Narigan, would be enough for more than 50 weapons.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s uranium mines have not been targeted by strikes during the fighting.<\/p>\n Appears unaffected<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Iran has two active uranium mines, both in central Iran. Iran has not reported how much it has mined in recent years, but the material it says is contained in one of the mines, Narigan, would be enough for more than 50 weapons.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s uranium mines have not been targeted by strikes during the fighting.<\/p>\n Possibly destroyed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n The only known facility in Iran that could convert natural uranium into gas, in the form of uranium hexafluoride, was in Isfahan.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n American missiles severely damaged Iran\u2019s main uranium conversion site, most likely destroying Iran\u2019s ability to convert natural uranium into the form required to start the enrichment process. Rebuilding could take years.<\/p>\n Possibly destroyed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n The only known facility in Iran that could convert natural uranium into gas, in the form of uranium hexafluoride, was in Isfahan.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n American missiles severely damaged Iran\u2019s main uranium conversion site, most likely destroying Iran\u2019s ability to convert natural uranium into the form required to start the enrichment process. Rebuilding could take years.<\/p>\n Damaged but extent unclear<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n This is the hardest part of making a nuclear bomb. Producing bomb-grade uranium requires vast arrays of high-speed centrifuges to spin the uranium gas and concentrate the enriched form. Iran\u2019s Natanz and Fordo sites held more than 18,000 centrifuges, mostly underground.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel most likely destroyed all the centrifuges at Natanz. And the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the centrifuges at Fordo, Iran\u2019s other major enrichment site built deep inside a mountain, appeared \u201cno longer operational\u201d after the U.S. attack. Trump said the facility was \u201cobliterated,\u201d though other assessments were more cautious. Israel also destroyed plants that manufactured centrifuges.<\/p>\n Iran has claimed it has other, secret enrichment facilities. But there is no evidence that other operational enrichment sites exist. Iran has also been assembling advanced, next-generation centrifuges at dispersed locations and, unless diplomacy or military action intervenes, may install them at two underground facilities it has been building.<\/p>\n Damaged but extent unclear<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n This is the hardest part of making a nuclear bomb. Producing bomb-grade uranium requires vast arrays of high-speed centrifuges to spin the uranium gas and concentrate the enriched form. Iran\u2019s Natanz and Fordo sites held more than 18,000 centrifuges, mostly underground.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel most likely destroyed all the centrifuges at Natanz. And the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the centrifuges at Fordo, Iran\u2019s other major enrichment site built deep inside a mountain, appeared \u201cno longer operational\u201d after the U.S. attack. Trump said the facility was \u201cobliterated,\u201d though other assessments were more cautious. Israel also destroyed plants that manufactured centrifuges.<\/p>\n Iran has claimed it has other, secret enrichment facilities. But there is no evidence that other operational enrichment sites exist. Iran has also been assembling advanced, next-generation centrifuges at dispersed locations and, unless diplomacy or military action intervenes, may install them at two underground facilities it has been building.<\/p>\n Probably still exists<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n International inspectors estimated this year that Iran had just shy of 900 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium. Inspectors last saw some of the stockpile about a week before Israel began its strikes. At that time, it was stored deep inside a nuclear complex near Isfahan in special casks small enough to fit in the trunks of about 10 cars.<\/p>\n Once further enriched, this stockpile would be enough to make nine or 10 atomic weapons, but U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Iran had not decided whether to make a bomb.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n A classified U.S. report said that much of Iran\u2019s stockpile of enriched uranium was moved before the strikes. The White House has insisted that it was destroyed but cited no evidence. The I.A.E.A. and European intelligence agencies believe Iran likely dispersed its stockpiles of enriched uranium around the country. <\/p>\n The uranium of greatest concern has already been enriched to a purity of 60 percent, greatly shortening the time required to bring it to 90 percent, which is usually considered weapons-grade fuel. But to do so would require some hidden, working centrifuges.<\/p>\n Probably still exists<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n International inspectors estimated this year that Iran had just shy of 900 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium. Inspectors last saw some of the stockpile about a week before Israel began its strikes. At that time, it was stored deep inside a nuclear complex near Isfahan in special casks small enough to fit in the trunks of about 10 cars.<\/p>\n Once further enriched, this stockpile would be enough to make nine or 10 atomic weapons, but U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that Iran had not decided whether to make a bomb.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n A classified U.S. report said that much of Iran\u2019s stockpile of enriched uranium was moved before the strikes. The White House has insisted that it was destroyed but cited no evidence. The I.A.E.A. and European intelligence agencies believe Iran likely dispersed its stockpiles of enriched uranium around the country. <\/p>\n The uranium of greatest concern has already been enriched to a purity of 60 percent, greatly shortening the time required to bring it to 90 percent, which is usually considered weapons-grade fuel. But to do so would require some hidden, working centrifuges.<\/p>\n Possibly destroyed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Iran had one known facility to convert enriched uranium back into its solid metal state \u2014 a critical step before it can be used in a weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel destroyed Iran\u2019s uranium metal production facility at Isfahan. Without this important capability, Iran cannot make an atomic bomb. However, one expert cautioned that Iran has produced uranium metal at other locations before, and it may have a secret site to conduct the work elsewhere.<\/p>\n Possibly destroyed<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n Iran had one known facility to convert enriched uranium back into its solid metal state \u2014 a critical step before it can be used in a weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel destroyed Iran\u2019s uranium metal production facility at Isfahan. Without this important capability, Iran cannot make an atomic bomb. However, one expert cautioned that Iran has produced uranium metal at other locations before, and it may have a secret site to conduct the work elsewhere.<\/p>\n Likely damaged<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n To build a modern atomic weapon with the metal, Iran would need to miniaturize crucial components, such as the detonator system, to fit into a missile-capable warhead. It is unclear whether Iran has this capability, but experts believe it has made some progress, and it is thought to have experimented with triggering devices. American intelligence agencies concluded last year that Iran was working on a \u201cfaster, cruder\u201d approach to a weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel destroyed several buildings at the Sanjarian manufacturing facility that were associated with the development of detonation systems and explosives, but Iran may have other similar facilities.<\/p>\n Likely damaged<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n To build a modern atomic weapon with the metal, Iran would need to miniaturize crucial components, such as the detonator system, to fit into a missile-capable warhead. It is unclear whether Iran has this capability, but experts believe it has made some progress, and it is thought to have experimented with triggering devices. American intelligence agencies concluded last year that Iran was working on a \u201cfaster, cruder\u201d approach to a weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel destroyed several buildings at the Sanjarian manufacturing facility that were associated with the development of detonation systems and explosives, but Iran may have other similar facilities.<\/p>\n Still possible<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n With a weapon, Iran could conduct a nuclear test, as North Korea first did in 2006. There are many ways to deliver a weapon, but if it wants to strike a target from afar, it needs planes or missiles to deliver it. Until recently it had thousands of missiles, many of which could carry an atomic weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel claims to have destroyed hundreds of Iran\u2019s missile launchers, but is unlikely to have completely wiped out Iran\u2019s ability to fire a nuclear-capable missile.<\/p>\n Still possible<\/span><\/p>\n Before strikes<\/p>\n With a weapon, Iran could conduct a nuclear test, as North Korea first did in 2006. There are many ways to deliver a weapon, but if it wants to strike a target from afar, it needs planes or missiles to deliver it. Until recently it had thousands of missiles, many of which could carry an atomic weapon.<\/p>\n After<\/p>\n Israel claims to have destroyed hundreds of Iran\u2019s missile launchers, but is unlikely to have completely wiped out Iran\u2019s ability to fire a nuclear-capable missile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sustain nuclear expertise Likely harmed Before strikes Over the decades, Iran built up scientific and engineering expertise in nuclear technology. After Israel says it killed at least 14 of Iran\u2019s leading nuclear experts in the recent attacks. But there is another tier of scientists in Iran who share much of that knowledge. If past experience<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[212,84,2313,220,85,811],"class_list":{"0":"post-9770","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-bomb","9":"tag-iran","10":"tag-israeli","11":"tag-nuclear","12":"tag-strikes","13":"tag-u-s"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9770"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9770\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Sustain nuclear expertise<\/h2>\n
Mine uranium ore<\/h2>\n
Mine uranium ore<\/h2>\n
Convert uranium to gas<\/h2>\n
Convert uranium to gas<\/h2>\n
Enrich uranium<\/h2>\n
Enrich uranium<\/h2>\n
Store the enriched uranium<\/h2>\n
Store the enriched uranium<\/h2>\n
Convert enriched uranium to metal<\/h2>\n
Convert enriched uranium to metal<\/h2>\n
Make a bomb<\/h2>\n
Make a bomb<\/h2>\n
Deliver a weapon<\/h2>\n
Deliver a weapon<\/h2>\n