GOP senator: Arab leaders say they’ll enrich uranium at levels approved for Iran

[TR_123456]

In Jerusalem, Lindsey Graham says Israel will request $1 billion to replenish Iron Dome after Gaza conflict; citing strong bipartisan support, he predicts Congress will approve it​

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters on the roof of Jerusalem's King David Hotel, June 1, 2021 (Lazar Berman/Time of Israel)

A senior US senator revealed that Arab leaders have told him privately that they will insist on being allowed to enrich uranium to the same levels and amounts that the international community permits Iran.


“If you don’t watch it, we’re going to wake up one day very soon and there will be enrichment programs all over the Mideast,” said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday.


Speaking from the rooftop of Jerusalem’s King David Hotel with the Old City behind him, the four-term senator emphasized that a nuclear arms race in the Middle East “can be avoided if the world speaks with one voice and stands up to Iran,” adding that Tehran “needs to feel more pain for its misconduct.”




Graham said the Israeli and Arab view on the Iran nuclear deal is “the same, that you can’t trust Iran with an enrichment program.”

“Longer and stronger is not possible,” he said, referring to the Biden administration’s position that it will ultimately seek a “longer and stronger” Iran deal after reentering the 2015 pact and bringing the Islamic Republic back into compliance with the original treaty. Indirect talks between the US and Iran are ongoing in Vienna on Washington’s reentry into the deal, after former president Donald Trump withdrew from the pact in 2018.

GOP senator: Arab leaders say they’ll enrich uranium at levels approved for Iran

In Jerusalem, Lindsey Graham says Israel will request $1 billion to replenish Iron Dome after Gaza conflict; citing strong bipartisan support, he predicts Congress will approve it

www.timesofisrael.com

 

[Ravager]

The question should be asked is why wouldn't they be allowed ?? It's within their right after all ...

 

[Nilgiri]

The question should be asked is why wouldn't they be allowed ?? It's within their right after all ...

I suppose because they are all NPT signatories, following current regime of IAEA safeguards (as far as current thresholds/standards of recognized peaceful activity).

US would be crucial P5 vote (or geopolitical support in general) on proposing exceptions and making changes to that etc.

 

[Ravager]

I suppose because they are all NPT signatories, following current regime of IAEA safeguards (as far as current thresholds/standards of recognized peaceful activity).

US would be crucial P5 vote (or geopolitical support in general) on proposing exceptions and making changes to that etc.

In my understanding even what Iran did are still within the safeguard of NPT's treaty and IAEA regulations . It's only because of their political standing are what make most of this situation get " noisy " hence a whole a lot of political bartering and concessions are traded along within .


** We are only talking about uranium enrichment process here tho' . nothing whatsoever about weapon utilitisation and what not . All in name of scientification progress ( as shady as it sound ... But , that's their pitching sale afterall ) .

 

[mulj]

I suppose because they are all NPT signatories, following current regime of IAEA safeguards (as far as current thresholds/standards of recognized peaceful activity).

US would be crucial P5 vote (or geopolitical support in general) on proposing exceptions and making changes to that etc.

so, how many international treaties are followed anyway, basically it is just scam from states in position of most power to subjugate less powered states. once you let the ginie from the bottle there is no coming back.

 

[mulj]

In my understanding even what Iran did are still within the safeguard of NPT's treaty and IAEA regulations . It's only because of their political standing are what make most of this situation get " noisy " hence a whole a lot of political bartering and concessions are traded along within .


** We are only talking about uranium enrichment process here tho' . nothing whatsoever about weapon utilitisation and what not . All in name of scientification progress ( as shady as it sound ... But , that's their pitching sale afterall ) .

it is because even if you follow npt regulary, once you develope enough technical capabilities it is easy to make bombs to, so npt did not consider fact that monopoly on nuclear technology will remain in narrow circle of established powers.

 

[Ravager]

it is because even if you follow npt regulary, once you develope enough technical capabilities it is easy to make bombs to, so npt did not consider fact that monopoly on nuclear technology will remain in narrow circle of established powers.

So there isn't problem isn't ??
As shady as the iranian were . After all they are in the right in this . Sanctions and embargos could only go so far without a more serious repercussion to the world at large .

Nobody was an idiot afterall . If Israel could hide behind their anynomity so did Iran and the rest of Islamic world .

 

[mulj]

So there isn't problem isn't ??
As shady as the iranian were . After all they are in the right in this . Sanctions and embargos could only go so far without a more serious repercussion to the world at large .

Nobody was an idiot afterall . If Israel could hide behind their anynomity so did Iran and the rest of Islamic world .

For me there is not, i am strong supporter of nuclear proliferation, when you get one you are truly idenpendent and protected.
I know people will tell whatabout mad men in possesion of that weapons etc., i would just say kim il sung is not mad right?

 

[Ravager]

For me there is not, i am strong supporter of nuclear proliferation, when you get one you are truly idenpendent and protected.
I know people will tell whatabout mad men in possesion of that weapons etc., i would just say kim il sung is not mad right?

All was fair in love and war .... Regardless how much " unique " kim jong un were ....
All he did is only try to preserved and protect his well being and his country interest . ( Not necessarily in specific order ) and so did everybody .

 

[Nilgiri]

In my understanding even what Iran did are still within the safeguard of NPT's treaty and IAEA regulations . It's only because of their political standing are what make most of this situation get " noisy " hence a whole a lot of political bartering and concessions are traded along within .


** We are only talking about uranium enrichment process here tho' . nothing whatsoever about weapon utilitisation and what not . All in name of scientification progress ( as shady as it sound ... But , that's their pitching sale afterall ) .

Yah but I mean more from why arab countries would approach US geopolitical umbrella on it as "the go to".

For one, you get France and UK kind of automatically thrown in (among P5) if done that way.

This stuff is de jure not necessary (NPT itself is very grey in lot of definitions, so IAEA has more conventions rather than strict standards as result....and there is also side-agreements and so on that have only so much intersection with NPT)...

The lack of de jure clause is exactly how Iran stays in NPT while enriching to 60% now and likely to 80% next. I am assuming thats what these Arab countries mean when they say "allowed to/approved for" etc under NPT murky area.

But de facto there would be some need for backing from a major power for Arab countries (or any country that needs assistance to do this in any valid timeframe) to do so.

I say de facto because the technology to enrich to 60%+ (in fact more than 20% itself) is the same one needs to enrich to 90%+ (weapons grade). i.e it is heavily dual use for both peaceful and non peaceful use....and can be switched at moments notice.

Then consider the "saying quiet part out loud" in that AFAIK no arab country has such a reactor (test or mainstream) that could use such highly enriched fuel too....like say gas cooled (which is active research area even for developed countries).

So the purpose for such enrichment would be quite brazen.

So geopolitically w.r.t "de facto" support (since de jure is already there as you have said)....US just fits that role the best IMO for GCC....given the past and current geopolitical landscape.

 

[Ravager]

Yah but I mean more from why arab countries would approach US geopolitical umbrella on it as "the go to".

For one, you get France and UK kind of automatically thrown in (among P5) if done that way.

This stuff is de jure not necessary (NPT itself is very grey in lot of definitions, so IAEA has more conventions rather than strict standards as result....and there is also side-agreements and so on that have only so much intersection with NPT)...

The lack of de jure clause is exactly how Iran stays in NPT while enriching to 60% now and likely to 80% next. I am assuming thats what these Arab countries mean when they say "allowed to/approved for" etc under NPT murky area.

But de facto there would be some need for backing from a major power for Arab countries (or any country that needs assistance to do this in any valid timeframe) to do so.

I say de facto because the technology to enrich to 60%+ (in fact more than 20% itself) is the same one needs to enrich to 90%+ (weapons grade). i.e it is heavily dual use for both peaceful and non peaceful use....and can be switched at moments notice.

Then consider the "saying quiet part out loud" in that AFAIK no arab country has such a reactor (test or mainstream) that could use such highly enriched fuel too....like say gas cooled (which is active research area even for developed countries).

So the purpose for such enrichment would be quite brazen.

So geopolitically w.r.t "de facto" support (since de jure is already there as you have said)....US just fits that role the best IMO for GCC....given the past and current geopolitical landscape.

To be honest ....everybody knows it . Pardon for my cynical comments but It's just a matter of power politicking and leverages . Stalling game without end and we all know how it was played up and beyond the table .
And truthfully with today chinese rising trend and US still belligerent support for israel at the expense of Islamic world at whatever the cost . Nuclear weapon Tech proliferation is only a matter of time . You could only hold back for a moment longer yet at a higher prices . A prices soon humanity at large couldn't afford to accept regardless the faith , beliefs and wishes .
Nobody could stop the technological advancement especially when it masked with the honourable " intention " . Even the sauds with their oils are starting to explore the " renewable energy technology " .... Whatever that mean is . And everybody know what the end goal of turkey nuclear powered reactor research programme is ....
And Japan ?? Everybody are awared to the quiet monster in the room .