Iran Cuts Ability to Make Nuclear Weapons – Report

Diluting Half Its 20-percent Enriched Uranium 

The IAEA will say in a report to be released later this week that Iran's ability to make a nuclear bomb has been “greatly reduced,” The Associated Press reported today.

The IAEA assessment is based on Iran’s actions since the signing of JPOA, specifically in diluting half of its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium. JPOA went into effect in January. Iran’s 20-percent enriched uranium stockpile was one the key concerns of the P5+1, as it is only a technical step away from the 90-percent grade uranium used to arm nuclear weapons

By late last year, Iran had amassed nearly 200 kg of 20-percent enrich uranium, which with further enrichment was enough for one nuclear bomb In January, it halted its 20-percent enrichment program and has started the process of converting half of the stockpile into oxide for reactor fuel. The other half is now been diluted into low-enriched uranium. Reconverting oxide or lower-level enriched into weapons-grade uranium would take much longer than doing so from 20-percent enriched material.