Israel launched its “largest military campaign” against Iran in early Friday, targeting nuclear sites and military camps. A top military commanders and scientists were killed in the Khameeni-led Islamic Republic as a result of Israeli.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called it a strike in the “Dil of Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program”. The move gave rise to global anxiety, especially as the United States and its intelligence community that Iran’s nuclear program is currently not designed to make weapons according to CNN.
However, Israel was not prevented from acting on what it claims that a serious threat signs in the Middle East region are increasing.Iran has repeatedly stressed that its nuclear efforts are only for peaceful purposes that are especially to generate energy and strengthen their economy. Nevertheless, the fact that Iran is rich in high levels and limit international inspections, deepened global doubts. Critics say that Iran can go a step away from making a bomb if it decides.
Iran’s nuclear program roots
Iran’s nuclear journey actually began in 1957 with the help of the United States, when the two were all partners and Shah ruled Iran. Subsequently, the focus was peaceful energy use. But everything changed after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which changed the monarchy with a democratic rule. Uncle Sam withdrew his support, and stress has increased around Iran’s atomic ambitions.Iran is a signator of the United Nations’s Nuclear Non -Proliferation Treaty (NPT), under which it has promised not to develop nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, concerns have remained for decades.The main issue is uranium enrichment – some Iran says it requires energy, but which brings it very close to weapons capacity.
What is uranium enrichment and why does it matter?
Uranium enhancement is a process that increases the concentration of uranium -235, the part of uranium that can be used for nuclear power or weapons. Naturally, uranium is mostly made up of uranium -238, which is not either useful. Only a small fraction-reassite 0.7%-S uranium-235, and it needs to be increased to be usable.To enrich uranium, it first converts to gas and then rotates at high speed in machines called centrifuge. There are thousands of centrifuge in Iran, including highly advanced models. More sophisticated centrifuge, rapid uranium can be enriched. For civil use in nuclear power plants, uranium is usually rich in about 3–5%. For atomic bombs, it needs to reach about 90%.
Iran has already enriched uranium with 60% purity. It is not yet a bomb-grade, but it is dangerously close. The United Nations Atomic Sentinel, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently stated that Iran has enriched more than 400 kg of uranium to that level. According to nuclear experts, it is enough to make nine bombs when further enriched.
From diplomacy to deadlock
Iran’s uranium enrichment has long been the center of global talks. In 2015, Iran reached an agreement with six major world powers – including the US – to limit its nuclear program. In turn, it was relieved by international sanctions.Under this deal, Iran agreed to enrich at 3.67%, reduce its stockpiles and limit the number of centrifugas used.But in 2018, US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal and re -linked the sanctions, saying that the agreement was flawed. Iran replied by breaking the boundaries of the deal – increasing more uranium, increasing the level of purity and using more advanced centrifuge. It also removed the IAEA surveillance cameras from major features. Efforts by the Biden administration to revive the deal failed in 2022.In 2023, inspectors found that the particles were enriched up to 83.7% purity in an Iranian feature – close to the 90% range for weapons. And in recent months, US Intelligence has evaluated that Iran’s “breakout time”-the time required to produce enough weapon-grade materials for a bomb has shrunk for one or two weeks.
Where is Israel’s strike in a widespread struggle?
Israel’s operations targeted what it believes that there are important parts of Iran’s nuclear program. One of the most important strike was at Natanj feature, which was a central site for uranium enrichment.
NAtanz is located about 250 kilometers south of Tehran and is believed to be the center of development and assembling of centrifuge. Video and satellite images showed fire and destruction in the area after the Israeli strike.
IAEA said that three other major atomic sites Ford, Isfahan and Bushahar- were not impressed. However, the Iranian media reported that six nuclear scientists were killed, which would be a major setback for human capital behind Iran’s nuclear progress.Iran has long prepared for the possibility of military attacks on its atomic sites. Many features are deeply underground or fed in ways that make them difficult to completely destroy. Military analysts say that while Israel may have disrupted Iran’s progress, it has probably not completely eliminated the nuclear threat.
Violation
IAEA has now taken a strong stance compared to previous years. For the first time in nearly two decades, this resolution was passed in which it was announced that Iran was violating its unexpected obligations. Iran, in turn, promised to increase its nuclear activity in response.In a public statement shared on social media, the Israeli army issued a rejected assessment claiming that Iran is dangerous to make a bomb. It states that Iran has decentralized its enrichment activities, hiding its centrifuge in underground sites, and continues to produce a fast -rich uranium.
According to Israeli defense forces, the world has tried diplomacy, but Israel believes it has no choice but to work in self -defense.
