Iran builds indigenous nuclear fuel rods ignoring UN sanctions

Iranian scientists claimed a major feat on Sunday as reports came out that they have tested their first ever indigenous nuclear fuel rods successfully. If it is true, they have openly defied the United Nations’ sanction that restricts Iran from sourcing fuel rods from overseas companies. The sanction was imposed in order to restrict the country’s atomic work and to prevent production of atomic weapons.

A year ago, Iran had put forwarded its intention to build fuel rods and plates in order to make its nuclear program completely self-sufficient – a claim that generated scant regards from the United States as they doubted Iran’s capability in building nuclear fuel rods.

The United States and its European Union allies had long feared Iran of using its nuclear program to create atomic weapons. On its part, Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations and said that they use its nuclear program purely for civilian purposes i.e. generating electricity and treating cancer patients. In the mean time, Iran has carried on with their uranium enrichment program despite repeated sanctions from the United Nations and several economic penalties by the United States and the European Union.

It is reported on Sunday that Iran has bundled together its nuclear fuel rods in the core of a nuclear reactor, where its highly enriched uranium is stored for producing cancer-treating isotopes. But at this moment, the attention of the whole world is turned towards Iran as these nuclear fuel rods (with the help of its uranium-enriched pallets) can also be used to generate fuel for nuclear reactors. Till the intention of Iran is clear, the whole world would be on tenterhooks. For, if what it claims is true, that would mean Iran is now very much closer to build a nuclear bomb than it has ever been if it so desires.