When will Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor go into operation?
Background: 
Last week, Iran staged a dummy (non-nuclear) run of its long-delayed Bushehr reactor. The reactor, built with Russian help, was tested with virtual fuel consisting of lead, which officials said was designed to simulate the enriched uranium needed to make it fully functional. The 1000-megawatt reactor is not expected to come into proper operation until later this year.
Work on Bushehr originally started 34 years ago, during the reign of the shah with the help of the German contractor Siemens. It was suspended shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution, when Siemens claimed it had not been paid. The mothballed plant sustained bomb damage during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq, when much of its equipment was looted.
The symbolism of the event dismayed the US and other western powers who suspect Iran's nuclear energy program is merely a front for building an atomic weapon rather than designed to produce electricity, as Tehran insists. (Western concern has focused on Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz rather than Bushehr, whose construction has depended on help from Russia, which has also expressed fears about the Iranian nuclear program.)
Last week's test was attended by Russian nuclear officials, including the head of Moscow's nuclear agency, Sergei Kiriyenko. Russia insists that the Bushehr plant is purely civilian and cannot be used to make bombs. However, Russian involvement in the £700m-project has been problematic because of the country's status as a permanent member of the UN security council, which has imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran because of its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.
Iran makes first test-run of Bushehr nuclear reactor
Iran's Nuclear Program: The Risk of the 'Known Unknown'
Obama seeks Russian help on Iran but denies deal
Coming soon to an unstable Middle Eastern state near you!
Last week, Iran staged a dummy (non-nuclear) run of its long-delayed Bushehr reactor. The reactor, built with Russian help, was tested with virtual fuel consisting of lead, which officials said was designed to simulate the enriched uranium needed to make it fully functional. The 1000-megawatt reactor is not expected to come into proper operation until later this year.
Work on Bushehr originally started 34 years ago, during the reign of the shah with the help of the German contractor Siemens. It was suspended shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution, when Siemens claimed it had not been paid. The mothballed plant sustained bomb damage during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq, when much of its equipment was looted.
The symbolism of the event dismayed the US and other western powers who suspect Iran's nuclear energy program is merely a front for building an atomic weapon rather than designed to produce electricity, as Tehran insists. (Western concern has focused on Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz rather than Bushehr, whose construction has depended on help from Russia, which has also expressed fears about the Iranian nuclear program.)
Last week's test was attended by Russian nuclear officials, including the head of Moscow's nuclear agency, Sergei Kiriyenko. Russia insists that the Bushehr plant is purely civilian and cannot be used to make bombs. However, Russian involvement in the £700m-project has been problematic because of the country's status as a permanent member of the UN security council, which has imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran because of its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.
Iran makes first test-run of Bushehr nuclear reactor
Iran's Nuclear Program: The Risk of the 'Known Unknown'
Obama seeks Russian help on Iran but denies deal
Settlement details: As reported by a major mainstream news source.
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Question suspends in 5 weeks
- Activity: H$20,998 |
- Predictions: 34 |
Comments: 1
Suspend date: Thu 31st Dec 11:59pm PST (5 weeks to go)
Initial likelihoods: March or April, 2009: 10%, May or June, 2009: 15%, July or August, 2009: 15%, September or October, 2009: 20%, November or December, 2009: 20%, 2010 or later / never: 20%
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Get widget!Predictions (34)
linda415
predicted 2010 or later / never (H$100 at 33%)
kolia39
predicted November or December, 2009 (H$100 at 15%)Comments (1)
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