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[–] 8 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

We found the smoking gun in 2023. They were found by the IAEA to have enriched uranium to 83.7%. And there is zero reason to enrich to this level except for weapons production.

https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/documents/gov2023-8.pdf

In terms of accessing the nuclear capabilities of nations, there is no more credible a source than the IAEA.

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  • [+] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 child)
  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago

    I was responding specifically to your claim of there being no credible evidence of a bomb program. Whether they should have a bomb is another question entirely.

    But back to the main point. Enrichment to 83.7% IS absolute proof of a nuclear weapons program. That is what you're missing. Reactor grade is 3-5%. There are no practical applications aside from bombs that require enrichment that high. There's literally no other reason to do it.

    Nuclear enrichment is not something you just do for fun. It's expensive and dangerous, both in terms of worker safety and geopolitics. And the cost to enrich to bomb grade is at least an order of magnitude more than what is required to enrich to reactor grade.

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