LOS ANGELES.–Solving the Iranian nuclear dilemma hasn’t been easy for President Donald Trump who, during his last term in office, cancelled former President Barack Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] May 8, 2018. At the time Trump cancelled the JCPOA, Iran was at war through its Yemen-based Houthi rebel group with Saud Arabia. Houthi rebels at the time were firing Iranian-made rockets at Riyadh’s International Airport. Trump found Obama’s agreement completely lopsided, handing Iran billions in cash to launch proxy war against Saudi Arabia and Israel. Now Trump faces similar dilemma knowing that Iran has enriched enough uranium to build several nuclear bombs. Since ending the JCPOA, Iran has upped its uranium enrichment program from 3.67% to 60%, just under weapons grade material. Nuclear experts fear Iran is dangerously close to an A-bomb.
Nuclear experts have been saying for years that Iran was close the breakout time for building a nuclear bomb. At this point, it isn’t about whether Iran has enough weapons grade material, it’s about whether it’s really working on a bomb. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran has no intent of building a bomb or it would have done it by now. So, the question becomes what should Iran do with its nuclear enrichment industry? “Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran’s nuclear rights—including enrichment,” wrote Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Trump must decide whether or not it’s realistic to try to stop Iran’s nuclear enrichment industry or use it in a way that mitigates risks and benefits the United States.
Araghchi suggested with Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff that the U.S. buy Iran’s available nuclear stockpiles of enriched uranium, using for reactor fuel in the next generation of carbon free nuclear power reactors. Working with U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi, it’s possible for the U.S. to keep tabs on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and, at the same time, put it to good use. What better way can the U.S. solve the nuke problem by letting Iran continue producing enriched Ukraine, the U.S. buying its stockpiles and the IAEA supervising from top-to-bottom the whole process? Iran has enriched uranium for decades and has no intent of stopping unless the U.S. and Israel went to stop the program. “Talks serve progress, interest and dignity, not coercion or surrender,” said Al Shamkhani, a top advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Al Shamkhani said the U.S. has “fantasies” about destroying Iran’s enrichment program but knows it’s not the best way to resolve the problem. Letting Iran continue enriching with the U.S. buying its uranium stockpiles, or other countries that need reactor fuel, would be the best solution for all parties concerned with Iran building an A-bomb. Trump would make a major coup for the foreseeable future getting a new nuke deal that benefits Iran and the U.S. When you consider the growing demand for nuclear fuel rods to run the new generation of carbon free nuclear power reactors it only makes sense to make use of Iran’s enrichment industry. Trump said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any plans to bomb Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. What could be a better solution than the U.S. buying Iran’s fissile material for reactor fuel.
Iran’s former commander of the Revolutionary Guard Mahsen Rezaei said it was a “bluff, delirium and confusion” for Trump to consider blowing up Iran’s enrichment facilities. If Iran lets IAEA’s Rossi inspect and supervise its nuclear stockpiles, there’s no risk to Iran using the fissile material for other purposes, like building an A-bomb. Israel’s main fear is that Iran would build an A-bomb and drop it on Tel Aviv. Iran would like the U.S. reverse crippling economic sanctions imposed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said, who mediated four sets of talks between Iran and the U.S., said “some but not conclusive progress” have been made, more talks necessary. Iran has all the fissile material needed by the U.S. to run its next generation of nuclear power plants. Why not let Iran continue to enrich under IAEA supervision?
Whatever narrative exists about Iran’s break out time to a nuclear bomb has been long discredited, knowing that Iran certainly has enough 60% stockpile to make enough weapons grade material for several nuclear bombs. Iran has proved for years that if it doesn’t have a bomb by now, it’s not likely to develop one in the future. Letting the IAEA take over inspections of Iran’s enrichment program would be all the assurance the U.S. and Israel needs about an A-bomb development. Instead of threatening to destroy Iran’s nuclear enrichment industry, why not use it for the U.S. advantage supplying fuel rods for the next generation of carbon-free nuclear reactors? Demand for fuel rods will certainly go up in the future with Iran serving an important supply chain function for the nuclear power industry. War can be avoided to benefit both countries.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
