CBS News/ March 19, 2012, 3:40 PM

Nuclear Iran: Sites and potential targets

Arak

Arak heavy water facilities

A January 2011 file photo shows Iran's heavy water nuclear facilities near the central city of Arak, 150 miles southwest of Tehran.

/ AP

Revealed in 2002, the heavy water reactor in Arak remains under construction, according to the IAEA. Based on its design, Iran could eventually use the facility to produce weapons-grade plutonium - something it currently cannot do - which would be a major worry for Israel and the United States. But there are major hurdles the Iranians must first clear.

Iran was hoping to have the reactor finished as early as 2013, but, with ever-tightening international sanctions making it difficult for the Iranians to obtain materials from abroad, it's unclear how long it could take for the reactor to be made functional. Fitzpatrick, at the IISS, says 2014 now seems more likely, but still uncertain.

If and when it is completed, Arak could theoretically make enough plutonium by reprocessing spent fuel from the reactor to arm one, possibly even two nuclear weapons per year.

The reprocessing of spent plutonium fuel represents another hurdle. Iran currently has no reprocessing facilities to carry out that work. Fitzpatrick says there is no indication Iran is working to build such a facility, either, so if Iran does hope to produce weapons-grade plutonium, they are not making fast progress in that direction.

Regardless of how far down the road Arak's potential advent is, the specter of Iran creating its own supply of weapons-grade plutonium would likely be sufficient impetus for Israel to put the facility in its sights, should a preemptive strike be ordered.

9 Comments Add a Comment
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seadoosnipe says:
I don't know how many people have had direct contact with Iran, or know specifically how the Islamic regime works, but I have. I was there in 1979 when our embassy members were taken hostage for 444 days. I was their when the Shah of Iran as overthrown. The Islamists will stop at nothing to have the world dominated by Sharia Law. It's my opinion that most religious people in the world, spread the word in their religious belief, but they still allow freedoms to choose their fate. The Islamists do not see it like that. They want you to either reform to believe in the Quran, or your labeled as infidel and put to death. That's it, plain and simple. Their public address to destroy Israel should not be taken lightly. They mean what they say. If you've never been there, or experienced the Islamic fanatics first hand, then I suggest you at least keep an eye over your left shoulder. But, my statement is not a blanket statement either. The Islamic faith is not violent by nature. I know muslims who worship Allah and the Quran, and are great people, but just like in any faith, fanatics who can take up power of a state, are very dangerous.
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drrealitycheck says:
The US has been fighting wars of conquest for over 40 years now without success. We're simply not capable of continuing this under any President. It's Israels fight and Obama and Germany gave them the military technology to do it. Israel and the US have never fought together anyway.
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thomascapitalmgmt replies:
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You are definitely a Paulbot and an imbecile that has no clue as to historical facts. Name ONE war of CONQUEST? Not one. We do not occupy any land of conquest.

2) Israel needs our DIRECT support, aid and alliance. Israel and America fight side by side everyday of the week for decades..........wake up Paulbot
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B_Erhart says:
Why is not a name attributed to this manifestation of MENTAL ILLNESS.

Children acting violently taboo. Soldier shoots umpteen civilians taboo.

State psychopaths advocate attacking/bombing - political diplomacy.

Serious delusions being implemented as policy. When the smoke clears

and cost of lives realized - turning back the clock not an option.

People who READ and believe this mindless drivel MENTALLY ILL!
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notreich says:
Shouldn't the cold water that the Pentagon (as well as over-whelming numbers of former Israeli military and intelligence figures) is throwing on this idea of attacking Iran have any effect on this? And with it the rise in gas prices?
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ajk_cbsnews says:
Tell Net-N-Yahoo to jump off the short peer! The Israeli government has committed enough war crimes, already!
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thomascapitalmgmt replies:
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Dear liar:

PM Netanyahu committed war crimes? Israel a terrorist state. You are either: 1) a paul supporter and therefore an isolationist anti-Semite or 2) completely beyond reason.

5,000 rocket attacks last year alone into Israel by TERRORISTS you IMBECILE
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DavidFPawlowski says:
The flawed fundamental assumption employed by Israel and the US that includes its latest 'war gamer' scenario is that Iran does NOT have nuclear weapons. The media should really challenge this assumption given the Iranian flights to North Korea since that nation left the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It strongly begs the question given the "known known's of Iran's heavy trading for oil, food, precious metals and hard currency for sophisticated weapons systems what else did the Imam's get for their riches? Would it really surprise the west if Iran has nukes ready to go in an underground Quds facility with a few floors run by the North Koreans? Similar basing of nukes was done by the US throughout the cold war in Europe, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere. Such a basing strategy would allow the head of the Iranian military to claim in one sentence to not have nukes on Iranian soil, while knowing they are actually on North Korean military mission soil in the basement of that Quds mountain facility ready for mounting on the Iranian North Korean made medium range ballistic missiles targeted at Israel today. Think about it folks and that doesn't even cover Iran's interest in "isotopes" (e.g. balotechnic isomer weapons).
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says:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear in a March 5, 20012. Wow... We are on 20012?
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