The Hidden Science Behind Iran’s Nuclear Power—And Why It’s a Global Threat

Israel last week launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear sites—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow—in a dramatic escalation. Iran’s uranium enrichment activities are thought to be centred around these subterranean facilities. Iran has denied any significant losses, despite Israel’s claims that it has killed important scientists and seriously damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Confusion has been exacerbated by conflicting statements made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

What actually took place underneath the bunkers, then? More significantly, what is uranium enrichment and why is it causing such concern around the world?

The Science Behind Enrichment: Why U-235 Is the Game-Changer

There are several isotopes of uranium found in nature, but the most prevalent ones are uranium-238 (U-238) and uranium-235 (U-235). The crucial distinction? A nuclear chain reaction, which is necessary for atomic weapons and nuclear energy, can only be maintained by U-235.

Nearly insufficient for a nuclear reaction, naturally occurring uranium contains only 0.72% U-235 and 99.27% U-238. Enrichment can help with that.

What Is Uranium Enrichment?

The process of raising the percentage of U-235 in a uranium sample is known as enrichment. This only entails separating out the heavier U-238; no new uranium is produced. Selecting rare diamonds from a mountain of rocks is analogous to this.

Centrifuges, which are high-speed devices that spin uranium gas at crazy speeds (50,000+ revolutions per minute), are used to accomplish this. Lighter U-235 gathers close to the centre, while heavier U-238 is thrown to the edges. The more times this process is repeated, the more concentrated U-235 becomes.

Civilian vs Military Use: The Enrichment Threshold

Usually containing 3–5% U-235, low-enriched uranium (LEU) is used in civilian nuclear power plants. This is just enough to maintain a controlled reaction and produce electricity.

Weapons-grade uranium, on the other hand, needs to be enriched to 90% or higher in order to be used to make a bomb. Although uranium enriched to 20% can theoretically be used to create a weapon, much higher concentrations are needed for the smaller and more effective bombs.

How Close Is Iran?

Iran has already enriched uranium to 60% purity, which is a dangerously high level, according to the IAEA. The catch is that it’s much simpler to go from 60% to 90% than it is to go from 0.7% to 60%. U-238 decreases with increasing enrichment, which speeds up and simplifies subsequent enrichment.

Iran now has a “breakout capacity,” or the ability to produce a nuclear weapon quickly, if it so chooses, according to nuclear experts.

Why Israel Targeted Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan

Each of these sites serves a critical role in Iran’s nuclear ambitions:

• Natanz and Fordow are the primary enrichment hubs. They house hundreds of centrifuges, many of which are underground and heavily protected.
• Isfahan is Iran’s feedstock processing center, where raw uranium is prepared for enrichment.

Any damage to these facilities could significantly slow down Iran’s program—but only if the centrifuge systems themselves were destroyed, which remains unconfirmed.

The Real Concern: Transparency Is Fading

The international community is in the dark because Israel and Iran are each promoting their own narratives and the IAEA is sending conflicting messages. Tehran’s internet outages, increased anxiety, and expanding military presences all point to a more dire situation than either side acknowledges.

It’s Not Just About Bombs, It’s About Time

Nowadays, uranium enrichment is a race against time rather than merely a technical procedure. Iran may soon be unable to stop developing nuclear weapons without resorting to full-scale warfare if it keeps moving in the same direction.

Read More: Cracks in the Iron Dome? Alarming Report Says Israel’s Interceptors Are Running Out

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