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| Fig. 1: Iranian Nuclear Sites [1] (Source: CRS, courtesy of the U.S. Congress) |
In 2003 the IAEA bulked up its efforts for nuclear inspections. [1] This is where they confirmed that there were several undeclared nuclear sites in Iran. So in 2004 the IAEA conducted reports of each of these undeclared nuclear sites. [1] From the article CRS Report for Congress by Hussein D. Hassan suggested, "Iran has a long list of known and suspected nuclear facilities. Many analysts raised serious questions regarding the character of Iran's nuclear research, development, and production facilities." [1] Here are a list of now declared nuclear sites by the IAEA. Fig. 1 shows the location of the following Iranian Nuclear sites [1].
Tehran
This research program specializes is theoretical physics including high energy physics, mathematical physics, astrophysics, etc. [1]
Bushehr
This nuclear plant is draws the biggest controversy because Iran is in agreement with Russia to build this plant that is estimated to cost 800 million dollars. [1]
Esfahan Nuclear Technology Center
This is the primary location for Iran nuclear weapons program. [1] This is also Iran's largest nuclear research center and employs around 3,000 scientists. [1]
Natanz
The existence of this nuclear plant was revealed during an August 22nd 2006 press conference. [1]
Karaj/Karai/Hastgerd
This is the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine. [1]
Lashkar Ab'ad
"Lashkar Ab'ad is a pilot laser enrichment plant established in 2000 and dismantled in 2003". [1]
Arak
"During a press conference by the representative office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran held in Washington, DC, on August 14, 2002, the existence of a secret nuclear facility at Arak was revealed. It is located at the Qatran Workshop near the Qara- Chai river in the Khondaub/Khondab region in central Iran, 150 miles south of Tehran. According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the Mesbah Energy Company, a front organization, has been used to prevent unwanted disclosures. The headquarters of the Mesbah Energy Company is located in Tehran. On November 18, 2006, Reza Aqazadeh, Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said that Arak's 40-megawatt heavy water research reactor will replace Tehran's 5-megawatt reactor, which is over 30 years old." [1]
Anarak
"There are reportedly rich occurrences of uranium ore near Anarak, not far from Yazd. The famous Talmessi (or Talmesi) Mine near Anarak produced the first specimen of Seelite in 1955." [1]
The worry regarding Iran's development of these nuclear sites and especially with Tehran is that they are collecting resources from out of country with the worry being they are developing some sort of nuclear weapon. [2] The ability of Tehran to produce these resources in lab is cause for a greater amount of concern. [2] "Tehran is apparently running out of foreign- supplied uranium oxide and, although Iran is producing more of the material from indigenously mined uranium, it has not yet transferred any indigenously produced uranium oxide to its uranium conversion facility." [2]
© Aziz Shittu. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] H. D. Hassan, "Iranian Nuclear Sites," Congressional Research Services, RS22531, 12 Dec 06.
[2] P. K. Kerr, "Iran's Nuclear Program: Status," Congressional Research Services, RL34544, 11 Aug 09.