Q&A: Iran's nuclear research

Thursday 12 January 2006, 5:15 Makka Time, 2:15 GMT
As leaders from across the world condemn Iran's decision to resume nuclear activities Aljazeera looks at the issues behind the squabble and why Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, says his country has an "inalienable right" to develop nuclear fuel technology.
What is Iran's current nuclear capability?

Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear research is for peaceful purposes and is undertaken simply with a view to satisfying its electricity needs.
It has had a nuclear programme for nearly 50 years, buying its first reactor from the US in 1959. The Shah planned to build 23 nuclear reactors by the 1990s.
Although initially not seen as a back door to a nuclear weapons programme, discoveries by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2002 and 2003 that Iran was concealing nuclear facilities and materials raised concerns.
An uranium enrichment plant in Natanz and a heavy water reactor near Arak were kept from the IAEA's attention until 2002. Moves by Iran to remove UN seals and reopen the facility at Natanz were met with international outcry.
Iran is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Why are such facilities of concern?
Iran's nuclear capability puts it in a small league of 10 countries that have known nuclear facilities or weapons.
Uranium can be enriched using a gas centrifuge which the IAEA confirms exists at the Natanz plant.
The procedure for enriching uranium can be used for the production of low enriched uranium for civil energy purposes or highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, which many observers fear is Iran's ultimate intention.
IAEA inspections also discovered the means for separating plutonium.
Although Iran is years away from producing weapons-grade plutonium or highly enriched uranium, the US Defence Intelligence Agency has said that Iran could produce a weapon early in the next decade.
There are fears that if Iran develops nuclear technology other states may follow suit. North Korea began an uranium enrichment programme in 1997.
There is also the worry that a nuclear Iran would destabilise the region and exacerbate tensions with Israel.
Comments by Ahmadinehjad that Israel should be "wiped off the map" have not soothed relations.
Why is the international community so suspicious?
In a move aimed at nullifying any future Iranian threat, Russia has previously offered to enrich Iranian uranium but on her soil.
Iran has yet to take up the offer.
Iran's current nuclear strategy was first conceived after the Iran-Iraq war and includes plans for seven 1000MW power plants by 2025.
Some in the West see this as an overambitious aim, especially for a country with large oil and gas reserves.
In January 2005, Iran admitted that it had been offered a centrifuge enrichment "starter kit" in 1987 by a network led by A Q Khan, the Pakistani scientist.
Khan, known as the father of the Pakistani nuclear bomb, had previously attempted to supply North Korea with nuclear technology and advice.
In November 2005, Iran admitted that the network had supplied it with information on casting and machining parts of nuclear weapons.
What could happen next?
If Iran resumes research at the Natanz plant, as it has stated it intends to do, there are several positions the international community could take.
Talks were abandoned in the summer between the EU and Iran after the latter ended a temporary ban on its enrichment programme.
The IAEA could refer Iran to the UN Security Council. But it is not certain whether sanctions would be imposed if such action were taken. A warning could be issued.
George Bush is vehemently opposed to Iran developing nuclear technology. He wishes to solve the dispute diplomatically, if possible, but has made it clear that he has not taken the military option "off the table" just yet.
aljazeera.net