Report: Explosion in Isfahan Linked to Nuclear Plant

The Times reported today that Iran’s uranium conversion facility in Isfahan was hit by a huge explosion on Monday. The Iranian government has denied that any explosions have occurred in the city.

The Times, basing its report on satellite images of the Isfahan facility seen by its staff, said the images showed “billowing smoke and destruction… (confirming) that a blast that rocked the city of Isfahan on Monday struck the uranium enrichment facility there, despite denials by Tehran.” [The Times, 30 November, reprinted at The Australian, 30 November].

The report of the explosion at Isfahan uranium conversion facility (UCF) came as satellite images emerged of the damage caused by an earlier explosion at IRGC ballistic missile base outside Tehran two weeks ago that killed Gen. Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, the head of the Iranian ballistic missile program, and other IRGC personnel.

On Monday, Isfahan residents reported a blast and seeing a cloud of smoke rising on the edge of the city, where the UCF is situated.

If the reports of the explosion at Isfahan UCF are correct, the Israeli intelligence would be seen as the perpetrator. The Times quotes Dan Meridor, the Israeli Intelligence Minister, as saying, “There are countries who impose economic sanctions and there are countries who act in other ways in dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat.”

Reports of Huge Explosion in Isfahan – But Government Says No Explosions

There were widespread reports, including emails to this blog, of a powerful explosion that shook Isfahan today. The report was also carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency, but was later taken off its website. Fars had quoted Isfahan’s deputy mayor as confirming the report of the explosion and saying that the officials were investigating the cause.

Later in the day, the deputy governor of Isfahan, Mohammad-Mehdi Ismaili, denied that an explosion has occurred in the city, calling the reports “completely baseless and fabricated.”

Isfahan is home to the country’s sole uranium conversion facility (UCF), converting enriched uranium into uranium rods, and any report of explosion naturally raises concerns and interests these days. We will keep you informed as soon as reliable information become available.

Iran Produces Uranium Fuel Rods

Acting Foreign Minister and Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi announced today that Iran has successfully produced uranium fuel rods and plates at its Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan.

Until now, the main activity at Isfahan UCF was the conversion of yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride, UF6. (The UF6 is used as the feed for centrifuges in Natanz to produce enriched uranium). The production of fuel rod, fuel assembly and fuel plate in the country are major advancements toward acquiring the complete nuclear fuel cycle. The 20%-enriched uranium rods will be used in Tehran’s research reactor. Highly enriched uranium rods are used in nuclear weapons.

Salehi also announced that Iran’s stockpile of 20% enriched uranium has increased to 40kg, a 30% increase in the past three months. (In early October, Salehi had reported that Iran’s inventory of 20% enriched uranium was at 30kg).

Iran Producing Fuel for Arak’s Heavy Water Reactor

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today inaugurated a new nuclear facility producing reactor fuel (pellets of uranium oxide ore or UO2) for the heavy-water and plutonium production reactor under construction in Arak. The new unit is located at Isfahan’s Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF). The UCF will continue producing UF6, the feed gas for uranium enriching centrifuges at Natanz.

The inauguration of the new nuclear facility was part of ceremonies marking the National Day of Nuclear Technology. Ahmadinejad, speaking at the ceremonies, also announced that Iran has tested two kinds of new “high capacity” centrifuges at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The new machines, dubbed P-2, are more advanced centrifuges than the P-1s currently in operation.

Qolam Reza Aghazadeh, director of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) said at the same function that there are already around 7,000 centrifuges in operation at Natanz (up from 6,000 announced in February).

Arak heavy water reactor when completed will be able to produce sufficient amount of plutonium needed for the production of plutonium-based nuclear weapons if the country decides to take that path. The enriched uranium produced in Natanz can also be processed further to produce uranium-based nuclear weapons. Senior Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, have denied any intention to build a nuclear weapon.