Satellite images show Iran has started operations at its heavy-water production plant in Arak — a strong sign that the nation has taken yet another step in its quest for nuclear-weapons development.
Heavy water is necessary for the operation of a nuclear reactor that can produce plutonium, Ynet News explains. And plutonium can be used to make a bomb.
British media has published the satellite images that were snapped earlier this month, Ynet said. The plant is located 150 miles outside Tehran. One of the images showed a cloud of steam coming from the plant — a near-sure sign that heavy water is being produced, according to Ynet.
Other images show that the plant is heavily secured. Numerous anti-aircraft missiles and artillery equipment can be seen at the site, Ynet said.
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Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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