Slain Iranian nuclear scientists raises alarm over uranium, expertise reaching black market
The killing of Iranian nuclear scientists in U.S.-Israeli military strikes has raised fears that, if the regime destabilizes, weakened control over uranium stockpiles and the spread of nuclear expertise could increase proliferation risks.
While Iran can replace its lost personnel, experts say the lost expertise will be harder to rebuild and undisclosed sites in the country may also leave dangerous materials and knowledge vulnerable.
“Currently, the risk of nuclear terrorism or nuclear material moving to the black market remains low,” said Kelsey Davenport, director of nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association.
“Non-state actors would face challenges in accessing enriched uranium, and it is unlikely they would have the infrastructure to enrich it to weapons-grade levels and convert it into the metallic form required for a warhead core,” she said.
