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Possible elements in an Iran nuclear deal

Uranium enrichment: Enriched uranium can be used for peaceful energy generation or producing a nuclear warhead. An interim nuclear agreement with Iran in late 2013 capped the number of Iranian centrifuges enriching uranium at 9,000. The United States wants to bring that number down further.

Officials have spoken of 6,500 as a possible agreement, if Iran only enriches with its basic centrifuge model and ships out much of its stockpile of already enriched material to Russia. The world powers want to ensure that the length of time Iran would need to surreptitiously ‘‘break out’’ toward a nuclear weapon is at least one year. The interim deal halted Iranian enrichment of material at levels approaching weapons grade. That constraint will continue.

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Underground facility: Iran’s once-secret underground enrichment facility at Fordo poses a unique problem because of the difficulty any country would have in eliminating it militarily. The Israelis and hawks in Congress hoped to see the site dismantled. A likelier compromise would have Iran restrict the bunker for research purposes.

Plutonium: Iran’s heavy water reactor at Arak presents a potential alternative route to a bomb because it could produce enough plutonium for a couple of nuclear weapons each year. The plutonium path is not as far along as the uranium path. Still, negotiators hope to neutralize the site as a future threat. Possible solutions include shutting the facility down or turning it into a light-water reactor.

Time span: The United States had sought a 20-year deal; Iran wanted a time span closer to seven years. Officials have described the possibility of the full restrictions remaining in place for at least a decade. Then, Iran would be rewarded for good behavior by a gradual easing of conditions over the last five years of a deal.

Sanctions relief: The Iranians want immediate relief from economic sanctions. Washington and its partners are speaking of a phased approach. That would involve Obama suspending some restrictions immediately through executive action and others over time. Congress must act to remove the sanctions permanently, which seems unlikely in the short-term.

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SOURCE: Associated Press