INTL Iran's first nuclear plant begins fueling

[Spirit Of Truth]

Iran's first nuclear plant begins fueling

By the CNN Wire Staff
August 21, 2010 2:35 a.m. EDT

A file photo dated February 25, 2009, of an Iranian security guard outside the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

(CNN) -- Iran began fueling its first nuclear energy plant in the southern city of Bushehr on Saturday, the nation's state media reported.
The effort will help the country create nuclear-generated electricity, Press TV said.

The transfer of nuclear fuel was being watched by the International Atomic Energy Agency and senior officials from Iran and Russia, Press TV said.
Some Western nations have questioned whether the nuclear fuel will be used solely for electricity or would Iran eventually try to enrich uranium on its own, providing material for nuclear weapons.

It will take about two months for the reactor to begin generating electricity, state media has reported. Russia's nuclear agency says it will take longer.

more = http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/08/21/iran.nuclear/

 

[SSTemplar]

other pictures

 

[sardog]

Nice shiny white dome. Must be a tempting target for the Israelis

 

[Hfcomms]

Israel didn't do anything about it....I didn't think they would. This power plant is a side show. The Russians are loading the rods into the reactor and when the fuel is spent the Russians will take the rods out of the reactor and return them to Russia for processing. This fuel plant isn't the problem. The problem is the centrifuges for enriching uranium that are deep underground....these are what the Israelies would have to find and blow up, if they could get to them. Like it or not Iran is entitled to low grade nuclear fuel for legitimate nuclear power and slightly greater enrichment >25% for medical nuclear imaging. The IAEA is fully involved in the process and have given their blessing to it. Not too much that either we or Israel can do about it as Iran 'appears' to be outwardly complying with the restrictions.

 

[Warthog]

A guess if they strike now, it will surely turn into some kind of a show.

 

[Ben Sunday]

Israel didn't do anything about it....I didn't think they would. This power plant is a side show. The Russians are loading the rods into the reactor and when the fuel is spent the Russians will take the rods out of the reactor and return them to Russia for processing. This fuel plant isn't the problem. The problem is the centrifuges for enriching uranium that are deep underground....these are what the Israelies would have to find and blow up, if they could get to them. Like it or not Iran is entitled to low grade nuclear fuel for legitimate nuclear power and slightly greater enrichment >25% for medical nuclear imaging. The IAEA is fully involved in the process and have given their blessing to it. Not too much that either we or Israel can do about it as Iran 'appears' to be outwardly complying with the restrictions.

Assuming that Iran and Russia both adhere to the deal for the spent fuel rods, I am inclined to agree with Hfcomms on this subject.

 

[LONEWOLF]

So then there is "no problem with Iran"? What are these alleged "sanctions" for, anyway? For producing peaceful nuke power? It seems that the paths of peaceful vs. weapons nuke intent are intermingled & totally confused at this point. How can the Public, anywhere, make sense of any of this in a rational way? Bad job Israel, USA, UN - Nice work, Iran, Russia, China, NKorea, Pakistan.....

 

[Ben Sunday]

Yes, there are plenty of problems as far as Iran goes. In my limited understanding, the primary issue is the centrifuges that reprocess high level nuclear waste, usually plutonium or cesium. The end product is accumulated and is a prime component in manufacturing nuclear weapons...which Iran desperately wants.

The Bushehr plant is low level (light water, iirc) which is not conducive to weapons as long as the spent fuel rods are safely managed. That is why the carefully monitored cooperation of Iran and Russia by the IAEA may be so important. IF there is rigid compliance...again, IF, then the international community has little to say or do.

Generating electricity is not something that can or should be stopped by military action. The nuclear issue is extremely delicate, but the response must be equally measured and thought out.

In the best of all worlds, perhaps Israel understands this.

 

[LONEWOLF]

If I were Iran, I'd have designed deep and extensive centrifuge/weapons research areas *beneath* the Bushehr plant. Lots of luck getting rid of those beneath "peaceful facilities" that are highly radioactive on grounds anyways with proof.

 

[Ben Sunday]

If I were Iran, I'd have designed deep and extensive centrifuge/weapons research areas *beneath* ...

You are most likely correct. A done deal? Average observers like us simply don't know for sure.

I am mindful and respectful of your views Lonewolf. Nuclear facilities with weapons capabilities are a tough and dangerous subject in any country, especially the highly volatile Middle East.