Nuclear experts urge ban on Iran plutonium pathway in any new deal
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 9
Nuclear experts urge ban on Iran plutonium pathway in any new deal
9 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 9
They cite risks at Bushehr and Arak, saying Iran could exploit gaps in uranium-focused diplomacy; one expert says Bushehr may hold enough plutonium for more than 200 bombs.
Experts want a permanent reprocessing ban plus near-real-time or monthly monitoring of reactors and spent fuel, while a State Department spokesperson says Iran remains in breach of non-proliferation obligations.
Some specialists dispute the immediacy of the threat, arguing Bushehr diversion would be detectable, technically difficult and likely trigger Russian retaliation, but calls for tighter safeguards in any Trump-era accord persist.
As war rages with Iran, can any new nuclear deal truly prevent the secret creation of a plutonium bomb?
With missiles striking near the Bushehr reactor, what is preventing a nuclear catastrophe from poisoning the Persian Gulf?
The 2026 Iran Nuclear Standoff: Monitoring Breakdowns, Plutonium Pathways, and Middle East Escalation
Overview
The report traces the unraveling of the Iran nuclear deal, starting with the 2015 JCPOA agreement between Iran and the P5+1, which was backed by the UN Security Council. The situation changed dramatically when the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018 under President Trump, who criticized its terms and sought tougher negotiations, though no new talks occurred. European countries tried to keep the agreement alive and avoid renewed sanctions, but their efforts failed as Iran and the US could not reach new terms. This breakdown has led to increased nuclear risks, verification challenges, and ongoing diplomatic tensions.