Iran is reportedly on the brink of achieving the capability to produce nuclear weapons, with a recent analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) marking the situation as "Extreme Danger."
This assessment, the most severe in the institute's rating system, underscores a significant escalation in Iran's nuclear potential, a development that hasn't been observed since ISIS began monitoring Iran's nuclear activities in the 1990s.
According to Jerusalem Post, the report highlights that Iran currently possesses a sufficient quantity of highly enriched uranium (HEU) to construct a nuclear device, positioning the nation's 'breakout' time at effectively zero. This means Iran has the resources to quickly enrich uranium to the 90 percent purity level required for weapons-grade uranium (WGU).
Such an action could potentially enable Iran to produce enough material for a nuclear weapon within just a week, utilizing only a portion of its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium. The ability to amass enough material for six nuclear weapons within a month further underscores the urgent nature of this threat.
The process of developing a delivery system for a nuclear weapon might extend the timeline slightly. However, the report suggests that Iran could feasibly develop a simple warhead, capable of being delivered by conventional means such as a ship or truck, within approximately six months.
This rapid advancement towards nuclearization could manifest in a clandestine manner, making it challenging for international observers and inspectors to detect and respond timely.
Iran's lack of cooperation with international nuclear inspectors over the past few years exacerbates the difficulty in monitoring its nuclear advancements, increasing the risk that Iran could achieve its nuclear ambitions with minimal external interference or detection.
