Hello Ward.

26 Jun 06 10:54, you wrote to Paul Sanders:

 WD> The same Iranian President during a follow-up speech announced Iran
 WD> successfully enriched uranian 5% so that it could be used as fuel in
 WD> nuclear reactors. During that same speech he equally announced that
 WD> Iran would go further and try to enrich even more.

 WD> He did not say "why" this was needed,

That should be obvious: to increase the efficiency of the reactor.

 WD> but there is only one known application for uranium enriched beyond 5%
 WD> ... a nuclear bomb.

Not so. The minimum for a nuclear reactor is 3%. That does not mean further
enrichment serves no purpose. The fuel degrades during use. The rods will
last longer if one start off with a higher percenateg of U235.

Research reactors typically use 12 to 20% enriched uranium. research
reactor are perfectly legit I'd say.

Weapons grade is min 85% 235. although some claim a crude inefficient
weapon could be made with as low as 20%. Critical mass rises dramatically
so a LOT more material would be needed.

5% is still a LONG way from that.

 WD> So, indeed, you are right, he never said: "And now my fellow Iranians
 WD> we will make an atomic bomb".

Don't get sucked in in the demonising game. we have seen that before with Saddam.


Michiel

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