TEHRAN(Bazaar) – Professor Frank N. von Hippel, former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology, says the association of 90% enrichment with weapon-grade is artificial.
He adds “It is true that, the higher the enrichment, the more compact the nuclear warhead that becomes possible but 60% enriched is already weapon usable. The US used 80% enriched uranium in the Hiroshima bomb.”
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Professor Frank N. von Hippel.
Bazaar: According to the news, the Vienna talks are moving forward. The Western parties also announced for the first time the progress in the negotiations. What is your assessment?
Frank von Hippel: I have no independent source of information but I welcome the increased optimism of the negotiators after such a long period of negative news.
Bazaar: According to some news, the negotiations will end by the end of February. This was while with the beginning of the talks in the seventh round, they assessed the situation as complicated and complicated. What happened that brought the views of Iran and the US closer together?
Frank von Hippel: I would like to know the answer myself. I hope this optimism is well founded.
Bazaar: During a recent visit to Israel, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told Israeli officials that the threat of a return to UN Security Council sanctions through a snapback mechanism should be used as a means to deter Iran from enriching uranium with weapons-grade. That is, the United States intends to activate the snapback mechanism if Iran's enrichment increases. Meanwhile, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, has stated that Iran will not carry out more than 60 percent enrichment, even if the talks fail. What is the reason for the US threat to activate the snapback mechanism?
Frank von Hippel: I do think that the US is seriously worried about Iran breaking out to acquire nuclear weapons. However, the association of 90% enrichment with weapon-grade is artificial. It is true that, the higher the enrichment, the more compact the nuclear warhead that becomes possible but 60% enriched is already weapon usable. The US used 80% enriched uranium in the Hiroshima bomb.
Bazaar: Israel, which has been opposed to any nuclear deal with Iran, has changed its position, declaring that a deal with Iran is better than no deal at all. What are the reason for Israel's change of position and its acceptance of the revival of the JCPOA?
Frank von Hippel: I am glad to hear this. I think this was the view of the military and intelligence leadership under Prime Minister Netanyahu. He himself tried to undermine the JCPOA in any way he could and was influential in persuading President Trump to take the US out of the agreement. It would be very good news if Israel’s new political leadership is supportive of the US and Iran returning to the JCPOA.
Bazaar: South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister traveled to Vienna to decide on freeing up Iran's blocked funds. What is your assessment of this visit to Vienna during the talks?
Frank von Hippel: This is also a good development. I’m glad that South Korea has taken this initiative. It could be part of a first step in a step-by-step process to return to the JCPOA.
نظر شما