Latest news with #NuclearNonProliferation
ABC News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Israel is targeting Iran's nuclear uranium enrichment plants. Here are the contamination risks
Israel has been targeting Iran from the air since last Friday in what it has described as an effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), five nuclear facilities have been struck, sparking fears the air strikes could raise health risks across the region. Here's what damage has been caused so far and the safety risks of attacking nuclear sites. Several military and nuclear sites in Iran. Israel says the attacks are to block Iran from developing atomic weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operations were to "strike the head of Iran's nuclear weaponization program". Iran denies ever having pursued a plan to build nuclear weapons and is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It says the nuclear sites it does have are for peaceful purposes. If Israel continues attacking Iran until it removes the country's nuclear capability, destroying the Fordow enrichment plant is central to its plan. While another important facility, Natanz, has been hit, the Fordow site would be much harder to target. This is because it's located inside a mountain, 90-metres underground and can only be reached by American "bunker-buster" bombs, which Israel does not possess. Because Israel believes Iran is enriching uranium to levels that could allow it to build a nuclear weapon, despite the Islamic Republic's claims its nuclear work is for "peaceful purposes". Enriched uranium, specifically uranium-235, is an essential component in many nuclear weapons. "When you dig uranium out of the ground, 99.3 per cent of it is uranium-238, and 0.7 per cent of it is uranium-235," Kaitlin Cook says, a nuclear physicist at the Australian National University. "The numbers 238 and 235 relate to its weight — uranium-235 is slightly lighter than uranium-238." To enrich uranium, basically means increasing the proportion of uranium-235, while removing the uranium-238. This is typically done with a centrifuge, a kind of "scientific salad spinner" which rotates uranium thousands of times a minute, separating the lighter uranium-235 from the base uranium. For civilian nuclear power, Dr Cook says uranium-235 is usually enriched to about 3 to 5 per cent. But once uranium is enriched to 90 per cent, it is deemed weapons-grade. According to the IAEA, Iran's uranium has reached about 60 per cent enrichment, well on its way to being concentrated enough for a nuclear weapon. Dr Cook says the process for enriching uranium from 60 per cent to weapons-grade is much easier than it is to get to the initial 60 per cent. That's because there's less uranium-238 to get rid of. According to the US Institute for Science and International Security, "Iran can convert its current stock of 60 per cent enriched uranium into 233kg of weapon-grade uranium in three weeks at the Fordow plant", which it said would be enough for nine nuclear weapons. In the hours after Israel attacked Iran last Friday, Netanyahu said Iran was just days away from being able to build nuclear weapons. In a White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran has all it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. "It would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon, which would, of course, pose an existential threat not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the entire world." But there has been some back and forth between US authorities on whether Iran was really that close to producing nuclear weapons. In March, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told members of Congress that Iran was not moving towards building nuclear weapons. "The IC [intelligence community] continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons programme he suspended in 2003," she said. On Air Force One on Monday night, after hastily leaving the G7 summit, President Donald Trump offered a direct contradiction to Ms Gabbard's claims. "I don't care what she said," Mr Trump said. "I think they were very close to having it." The IAEA said Israel had directly hit the underground enrichment halls at the Natanz facility, leaving them "severely damaged, if not destroyed all together". According to the IAEA, the Natanz site was one of the facilities at which Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 per cent U-235. After the attack, the IAEA found radioactive contamination at the site, but it said the levels of radioactivity outside remained unchanged and at normal levels. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin said: "We've struck deep, hitting Iran's nuclear, ballistic and command capabilities." A nuclear complex at Isfahan and centrifuge production facilities in Karaj and Tehran were also damaged. Israel said on Wednesday it had targeted Arak, also known as Khondab, the location of a partially built heavy-water research reactor. The IAEA said it had information that the heavy-water reactor had been hit, but that it was not operating and reported no radiological effects. Experts say attacks on enrichment facilities are mainly a "chemical problem", not radiological. Darya Dolzikova, a senior research fellow at London think tank RUSI, says the main concern from destroying an enrichment plant is releasing the harmful uranium hexafluoride gas — highly corrosive and toxic — that's contained in centrifuges. "When UF6 interacts with water vapour in the air, it produces harmful chemicals," Ms Dolzikova said. The extent to which any material is dispersed would depend on factors including weather conditions, she added. "In low winds, much of the material can be expected to settle in the vicinity of the facility; in high winds, the material will travel farther, but is also likely to disperse more widely." Peter Bryant, a professor at the University of Liverpool who specialises in radiation protection science and nuclear energy policy, says nuclear facilities are designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials into the environment. "Uranium is only dangerous if it gets physically inhaled or ingested or gets into the body at low enrichments," Professor Bryant said. While there so far has been no major radiological incidents as a result of the attacks, IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed the possible nuclear safety and security risks. "There is a lot of nuclear material in Iran in different places, which means that the potential for a radiological accident with the dispersion in the atmosphere of radioactive materials and particles does exist," he said. In a post on X, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also voiced his concern about the potential "immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region". Well that's a different story. A strike on Iran's nuclear reactor at Bushehr could cause an "absolute radiological catastrophe", says James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. While most reactor vessels are protected by steel and concrete containment structures, Dr Cook says the surrounding infrastructure, like spent fuel pools and cooling equipment, would "definitely be a concern" if targeted. For Gulf states, the impact of any strike on Bushehr would be worsened by the potential contamination of Gulf waters, jeopardising a critical source of desalinated potable water. In the UAE, desalinated water accounts for more than 80 per cent of drinking water. While Bahrain and Qatar are fully reliant on desalinated water. "If a natural disaster, oil spill, or even a targeted attack were to disrupt a desalination plant, hundreds of thousands could lose access to freshwater almost instantly," said Nidal Hilal, professor of engineering and director of New York University Abu Dhabi's Water Research Center. "Coastal desalination plants are especially vulnerable to regional hazards like oil spills and potential nuclear contamination," he said. On Thursday, an Israeli military spokesperson said the military has struck the Bushehr nuclear site in Iran. However, an Israeli military official later said that comment "was a mistake". The official would only confirm that Israel had hit the Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak nuclear sites in Iran. Pressed further on Bushehr, the official said he could neither confirm or deny that Israel had struck the location. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant, which sits on the Gulf coast, and uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk. Heavy water is H20 made up of hydrogen-2 instead of hydrogen-1. Dr Cook says it's a little heavier than normal water. "When you use heavy water, you can run your reactor on non-enriched uranium, avoiding the expense of enriching it in the first place, though the water does cost more. "But the problem is that heavy-water reactors can also be used to produce plutonium, which can be used in nuclear weapons." Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted the Arak facility and its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium. "The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development." India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states, have heavy-water reactors. So does Israel, but it has never acknowledged having atomic weapons but is widely believed to have them. ABC with wires
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
G7 expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability
WASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel in a statement, opens new tab issued late on Monday and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, with the G7 leaders urging broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region. The air war between Iran and Israel - which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes - has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel's military assault on Gaza in October 2023. "We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel," G7 leaders said in the statement. "Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror," the statement added and said the G7 was "clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." Israel attacked Iran on Friday in what it called a preemptive strike to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that. President Donald Trump planned to leave the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation. The United States has so far maintained that it is not involved in the Israeli attacks on Iran although Trump said on Friday the U.S. was aware of Israel's strikes in advance and called them "excellent." Washington has warned Tehran not to attack U.S. interests or personnel in the region. "We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza," the G7 statement said, adding the nations were also ready to coordinate on safeguarding stability in energy markets. An Israeli strike hit Iran's state broadcaster on Monday while Trump said in a social media post that "everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran." Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also discussed the Israel-Iran war in phone calls with his British, French and European Union counterparts on Monday. Washington said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Trump says Iran 'wants to talk' as Israel strikes TV station on air
In pictures: Satellite image shows damage to Iran's nuclear and missile sites A number of new satellite images reveal damage to Iranian nuclear and missile sites. Smoke can be seen rising, or blackened marks across the facilities. We've reported throughout the day on Israel's decision to target Iran's nuclear capabilities - fearing Tehran wielding a nuclear bomb. Meanwhile, Iran has warned it is preparing to withdraw from a key nuclear non-proliferation treaty - see our 10.15 post. The map below shows where many of Iran's nuclear and missile sites were hit, along with other targets.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Iran-Israel latest: IDF issues evacuation warning for areas of Tehran ahead of strikes
Israel has issued unprecedented evacuation orders for parts of Tehran as it prepares to unleash a fresh wave of strikes on the fourth day of the deadly conflict. Sparked by Israel's strikes on Iran on Friday morning, the exchange of fire has seen more than 200 people have been killed in Iran and more than 20 in Israel, their respective authorities have reported. The Israeli military said it would strike District Three of Tehran to 'attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure'. Remaining in the area 'puts your life at risk', it told Iranian residents. The military said on Monday it had 'full aerial operational control' over Tehran, but it failed to bat away attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa overnight on Sunday, with the US embassy among the buildings damaged. Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers are preparing a bill to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the foreign ministry has said. While Tehran remains officially opposed to developing nuclear weapons, Iranian officials have suggested the country's rights under the treaty have not been respected. Iran ratified the deal in 1970. Israel, along with India, Pakistan and South Sudan, are the only countries who are not signed up to the treaty. Trump declines to sign G7 statement on Israel-Iran Reports are beginning to emerge that the G7 countries, who are currently convening in the Canadian Rockies, have pulled together a draft statement on Israel and Iran. But Donald Trump appears not to have signed off on the statement, sources told Reuters news agency. The statement affirms Israel's right to defend itself and states that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, according to Reutes news agency, It calls on the the countries to deescalate the conflict and avoid compromising regional stability. 16 June 2025 15:41 Iran exercising right to self-defence, says Moscow Russia believes Iran is exercising its right to defend itself against attack by Israel, deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying on Monday. There are dangerous and obvious consequences of Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Mr Ryabkov added. He was also quoted as saying that Russia was discussing the crisis with the United States as well as maintaining contacts with both Israel and Iran. Alex Croft16 June 2025 15:18 Iran seeking talks with US and Israel to end conflict - WSJ Iran has been sending messages to Israel and the United States that it seeks an end to the conflict, the Wall Street Journal cited officials as saying. Tehran is also seeking a resumption of talks over its nuclear programme, the report claimed, adding that the messages had been sent through Arab intermediaries. Alex Croft16 June 2025 15:08 Mapped: Israeli evacuation orders for Tehran residents Alex Croft16 June 2025 14:56 Israel issues evacuation notice for part of Tehran An Israeli military spokesperson issued an evacuation warning for a designated area in Tehran, according to a post by the spokesperson on X. 'Immediate warning to all individuals present in the area indicated on the attached map in District 3 of Tehran,' the IDF's Farsi account said on X, alongside a map of the evacuation zone. 'Dear citizens, for your safety, we ask that you immediately leave the aforementioned area in District 3 of Tehran. 'In the coming hours, the Israeli army will take action in this area to attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, just as it has done in recent days around Tehran. Your presence in this area puts your life at risk.' The Israeli military appears to have resumed heavy strikes in Iran, posts on social media show. We'll bring you more as it comes in. Alex Croft16 June 2025 14:43 What is the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? Negotiated in the mid-to-late 1960s and first ratified in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It was negotiated by the Eighteen Nation Committee on Disarmament, a UN-sponsored organisation, and first came into force in 1970. At the time, it signalled in new era of warmer relations during the Cold War, following the escalation of an aggressive arms race between the US and USSR. The treaty is based on three pillars: nuclear non-proliferation; pledging not to engage in or assist in the development of any nuclear weapons disarmament; undertaking to bring an end to the nuclear arms race with a final goal of general and complete disarmament peaceful uses of nuclear energy; reaffirming the right for all parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes Israel is one of four countries to have never signed the treaty, alongside India, Pakistan and South Sudan. Alex Croft16 June 2025 14:38 Senator seeks to limit Trump's war powers in Iran A Democratic senator has introduced legislation to prevent Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without Congress's authorization on Monday. Tim Kaine of Virginia has tried for years to wrest back Congress's authority to declare war from the White House. During Trump's first term, in 2020, Mr Kaine introduced a similar resolution to rein in Trump's ability to wage war against Iran. That measure passed both the Senate and House of Representatives, winning some Republican support, but did not garner enough votes to survive the Republican president's veto. Mr Kaine said his latest war powers resolution underscores that the US Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the sole power to declare war and requires that any hostility with Iran be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for the use of military force. "It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict," Mr Kaine said in a statement. Alex Croft16 June 2025 14:08 Watch: Israelis huddle in Tel Aviv bomb shelters as air raid sirens blare ahead of Iran missile strike Alex Croft16 June 2025 13:51 Erdogan and Putin discuss Israel-Iran conflict Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan and Russian president Vladimir Putin have held a phone call discussing the conflict between Israel and Iran. A statement from the Turkish presidency said the pair had agreed the conflict must end and diplomacy be put into action as soon as possible. Mr Erdogan repeated his view that the only solution to the crisis was a return to nuclear talks, the statement said. The Kremlin said: "Both sides expressed the most serious concern about the ongoing escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, which has already led to a large number of casualties and is fraught with serious long-term consequences for the entire region. "The leaders spoke in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the settlement of contentious issues, including those related to the Iranian nuclear programme, exclusively by political and diplomatic means." Alex Croft16 June 2025 13:36 Here's what it means to enrich uranium – and why it raises concerns in Iran-Israel conflict Late last week, Israel targeted three of Iran's key nuclear facilities – Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow – killing several Iranian nuclear scientists. The facilities are heavily fortified and largely underground, and there are conflicting reports of how much damage has been done. Natanz and Fordow are Iran's uranium enrichment sites, and Isfahan provides the raw materials, so any damage to these sites would limit Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons. But what exactly is uranium enrichment and why does it raise concerns? Alex Croft16 June 2025 13:20
