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Nations Try to Block Iran's Nuclear Supply

US, Europe think Tehran is nearly out of uranium

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2009 11:28 AM CST

(Newser) – Iran is running out of uranium, and Western countries are stepping up diplomatic efforts to keep Tehran from replenishing its supply, the Times of London reports. Iran, which may be out of uranium in months, has so far pursued its nuclear ambitions with a stockpile acquired from South Africa in the 1970s. That material was intended for a civil program, which Iran maintains it is pursuing, but the country is widely thought to be building a bomb.

Britain and the US, among others, are lobbying major producers such as Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Congo to dissuade them from sending uranium to Iran. If Iran attempts to acquire so-called yellow cake uranium from producers, it would strongly indicate a weapons program. The intense diplomatic effort to block supplies suggests that 2009 is viewed as a pivotal year for Iran's nuclear efforts, the Times notes.

Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, second left, listens to a technician as he visits an exhibition of Iranian nuclear achievements at Tehran University.
Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, second left, listens to a technician as he visits an exhibition of Iranian nuclear achievements at Tehran University.   (AP Photo)
An Iranian technician explains Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant to university students in front of a model.
An Iranian technician explains Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant to university students in front of a model.   (AP Photo)
Iran's President  Mahmoud.
Iran's President Mahmoud.   (AP Photo)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz.   (AP Photo)
Bags of nuclear fuel.
Bags of nuclear fuel.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Jan 26, 2009 3:57 AM CST
Won't happen
riffran
Jan 24, 2009 10:01 PM CST
geeez...just look at how they are storing the bags of fuel in picture number 5.....".Mammhood put the yellow cake mix next to the yellow cake uranium, and don't mix the two, or the next time you make a birthday cake you can more rise than expected"......(rember folks it's a joke....uranium don't really work that way..lol)

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