America has been asking Iran to shut down its nuclear program from the beginning, but Iran was adamant about completing it. However, Iran has now agreed to suspend its nuclear program for 5 years.
Iran Nuclear Program Dispute
The dispute over the nuclear program has reignited after a meeting between America and Iran in Pakistan failed. Iran currently possesses about 450 kg of 60% enriched uranium, from which more than 10 nuclear bombs can be made. America is rejecting Iran’s proposal to suspend the nuclear program for 5 years and wants a permanent termination.
Russia’s Mediation Proposal
Russia has offered to keep Iran’s enriched uranium safe with itself, which it considers part of a peace agreement.
After 40 days of war in the Middle East, there was a ceasefire for 2 weeks. Now, after the meeting between America and Iran in Pakistan failed, the dispute between the two countries has started again. America has been asking Iran to stop the nuclear program from the start, but Iran was adamant about finishing it. However, Iran is now ready to suspend the nuclear program for 5 years. This has started a controversy over the raw material of the nuclear bomb.
The new dispute over the nuclear program is regarding what will happen to the raw material of the nuclear bomb, i.e., enriched uranium, in Iran. It is worth noting that Iran currently has about 450 kg of 60 percent enriched uranium. This is enough to become weapons-grade within weeks. More than 10 nuclear bombs can be made from this much raw material. Now Russia is talking about keeping this raw material with itself. Meanwhile, America is not ready for Iran’s condition. Rejecting Iran’s 5-year offer, America is talking about completely shutting down the nuclear program.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin has already spoken to America and regional countries. Russia is ready to keep Iran’s enriched uranium safe at its place. Regarding the matter, Russia says that this can be part of a peace agreement. Russia is the country with the most nuclear weapons in the world and is also an old friend of Iran. It said that Russia feels that if it keeps this material, the Iran-America war can be stopped. Russia’s role as a mediator will be strengthened. Russia clarified that the offer is still on the table, but no action has been taken yet.
What is Enriched Uranium?
Since America’s threat, Iran has been continuously saying that its nuclear program is only for electricity and medical purposes. According to information, Iran currently has a stock of up to 60 percent enriched uranium. Technically speaking, 3-5 percent enrichment is sufficient for a normal power plant. As soon as it reaches above 90 percent, this raw material becomes capable of making a bomb. It is said that this stock can create a nuclear bomb in just a few weeks. If this stock is removed from Iran, Iran’s nuclear program will go back many years.
American President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s 5-year offer. America does not want any enrichment for 20 years or more. America wants to take out all the enriched uranium kept in Iran. The Trump administration has been saying from the beginning that there will be no agreement without removing the stock and without a permanent ban.
China Defies America
A Chinese tanker linked to China, on which America had imposed sanctions, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. After the US military began the blockade of Iranian ports, this was one of the first ships to pass through this vital energy route. Despite Trump’s threats, the passage of a ship linked to China through Hormuz gave Iran an opportunity to taunt America; Iran insisted that this blockade only applies to those countries of which “Trump is not afraid.”
