"Nuclear weapon" and "nuclear program" are not synonymous. A nuclear weapon program involves enriching uranium to at least 90% purity (specifically the U-235 isotope) to be considered weapons-grade and ideal for a nuclear weapon. While a nuclear weapon theoretically can be made with 20% enrichment (the threshold for highly enriched uranium), a 90%+ standard ensures a smaller, lighter warhead that is far more practical to fit on a missile and detonate. A nuclear program can also embrace many other peaceful uses of enriched uranium. Nuclear fuel cells for commercial (ie., electrical energy) must be enriched to 3% to 10% of the isotope U-235 Reseach Reactors (ie., medical, physics) generally use up to 20% enrichment. Nuclear plants can redirect the extreme heat generated during power production for district heating (warming entire cities) or providing high-temperature steam for energy-intensive processes like manufacturing and chemical refining. Nuclear thermal energy used to separate salt from seawater, making it a viable solution for large-scale freshwater production. Obama Nuclear deal limited Iran's enrichment of uranium to levels below necessary for nuclear weapons. Iran agreed to inspections of all its centrifuges and enrichment processes to assure no nuclear weapon grade uranium was being produced and never denied IAEA such inspections. Iran did not agree to eliminate its nuclear material under Trump's MOU, calling only for the downgrading and down-blending of existing highly enriched uranium on-site under IAEA) supervision. That left the broader disposition of the material for a final nuclear treaty to remove that nuclear material from the country. Tehran hasn't acquiesced to the demand to remove nuclear material from the country but has agreed to talk. Back to Obama's Nuclear Deal!
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