Analysts Doubt Iranian Atomic Power Ambitions

from GSN Daily News

Iran's stated intention to build as many as 20 new atomic power reactors by 2030 has prompted skepticism among U.S. and European analysts, some of whom suspect the expansion plan is aimed in part at justifying an Iranian program capable of producing nuclear-bomb material, Reuters reported last week (see GSN, Oct. 13).
The United States and other nations suspect Iran's uranium enrichment program is geared toward weapons production, but the Middle Eastern nation has insisted the effort is strictly civilian in nature. Tehran last month announced a goal to generate 20,000 megawatts of atomic power within two decades; the nation has also announced plans to construct 10 uranium enrichment facilities in addition to its sole operating plant at Natanz and a unfinished site at Qum.
"It is simply unrealistic to build so many nuclear reactors in such a short time," said Oliver Thraenert, a senior fellow with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. "The Iranians don't have the experience, they don't have the infrastructure and it is possible they don't have the money due to the sanctions." More at:

http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20101014_4828.php

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