Has an unknown terror organization obtained materials that can be used to produce a portable nuclear bomb?
Highly radioactive materials have recently been stolen from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, including a large quantity of Iridium-192, which can be attached to conventional explosives and used as a “dirty bomb.”
Saudi Arabia’s Asharq al-Awsat reported Friday that the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had warned members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on November 18 of the hazard, after being given notice by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on the missing materials.
The iridium-192 was stolen during transportation, the report said. The vehicle was later found, but without the radioactive substance.
Iridium-192 is an unstable isotope and emits both electrons and gamma-rays.
The IAEA defines iridium-192 as a category-2 radioactive substance—meaning that the substance can permanently injure a person who handles the radioactive material for minutes to hours, and it can kill people in close proximity within hours to days. The radioactive substance remains nontoxic if kept in a containment device.
Iridium-192 is produced by putting iridium-191 in a nuclear reactor and bombarding it with neutrons. The iridium-191 then takes up an extra neutron to become iridium-192, which is later regulated used for industrial uses, despite its hazardous nature to humans.
Local police have reportedly informed Iranian hospitals in the vicinity of possible risks if the iridium is removed from its safety sealing device.
By: United with Israel Staff