The IAEA has confirmed that Iran has begun enrichment with the first cascade of upgraded centrifuges at Fordow. This model of centrifuge is vastly more efficient that the IR-1 centrifuges originally used.
The cascade is enriching to 20 percent purity. This is the level used in fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR). The TRR produces medical isotopes in Iran.
US diplomats seem to be trying to spin this enrichment as an attempt to gain leverage at the Vienna nuclear talks. The process of upgrading centrifuges, however, was ongoing long before the talks were scheduled, and this was almost certainly coincidental.
Iran is allowed under the nuclear deal to continue to upgrade its centrifuge technology, and replacing old machines — many of which have been sabotaged by Israel — with new, better machines is perfectly natural.
Iran should have at least 200 nukes, as much as Israel is supposed to be possessing
Yes, in a lawful order Israel would be the one sanctioned, threatened, sabotaged, and its leaders assassinated.
Only in a lawful society.Not where U S of A, the slave of Israel calls the shots
“Iran is allowed under the nuclear deal to continue to upgrade its centrifuge technology, and replacing old machines — many of which have been sabotaged by Israel — with new, better machines is perfectly natural.”
Is that like poetic justice?
I hate to be ms. negativity… but…
Doesn’t the circumstance exist here for something potentially cataclysmic to happen? The emphasis being with regard to Israel’s “hanky panky”.
I was only looking at it from the perspective that Israel’s actions precipitated Iran getting an upgrade in its centrifuge technology. But, yes, you are spot on Donna.
I feel I am in good company! But honestly, I still find it all very unsettling…
“This model of centrifuge is vastly more efficient that the IR-1 centrifuges originally used.”
There are only two ways to enhance the efficiency of a U235 enrichment cascade. Making existing tubes spin faster. Making the tubes wider. Both increase the tension on the material of the tube for which there is a limit. And whichever material is used it must be resistant against one of the most aggressive chemical compounds known, UF6, by forming a coherent fluorine-rich skin on the surface of the material [1].
I suspect that the major improvement is in the reliability of the rotors and of the pin on which the tubes rest while they are spinning. Also the method of flow-through of UF6 might be improved. And possibly the electronics has been better protected against break-ins.
In sum: a substantial increase of the mean-lifetime of individual tubes.
Vastly? My foot Significantly? Probably yes.
[1] most likely a metal.
CNBC claims the new IR-9 centrifuges are 50x faster than the IR-1 type.