Iran is posing the threat of being armed with nuclear weapons. West Asia is on red alert and the international community shares the forebodings. The IAEA’s latest report is yet to be released. But it appears that Iran has begun installing about 180 advanced centrifuges at the Natanz plant. This means Iran’s nuclear programme is poised for a major upgradation. It also cast a shadow over the nuclear talks held in Kazakhstan on February 26. Iran is an NPT signatory. It can of course develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. But there is a fear globally that Iran is going to make nuclear weapons although Tehran denies it. Centrifuges enrich uranium by increasing the proportion of uranium-235 atoms in it. Uranium needs 2-3% of U-235 in it to function in a reactor. But weapons grade uranium has to be 90% U-235. The setting up of so many new centrifuges appears to be an attempt to speed up production of material for a nuclear bomb.
The IAEA report has caused panic in Iran’s neighbours from Israel to Arab countries. The Arab world is split among Shias and Sunnis and the divide has escalated the scare. The Kazakhstan talks had considerable significance in this context. Delhi asserted in 2005 that it did not want an addition to the nuclear club. So, it reported Iran to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Iran’s economy and currency have been weakened by sanctions. The country is heading for Presidential elections this year. The nuclear issue will be prominent in this decisive event. Diplomatic efforts should be stepped up to resolve the crisis before the polls take place.
