China spy syndrome hits Iran nukes

Westhawk:

According to this story from Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Iranian authorities have apprehended two Chinese nationals on suspicion of espionage:

"The Chinese nationals were detained while taking photos and recording videotape of a military complex in Arak city," Ali Reza Jamshidi, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary, said on state radio. "They entered Iran through Kish Island as tourists."

[…]

Arak, where a 40-megawatt nuclear reactor is under construction, lies about 450 miles from the Kish Island tourist resort in the Gulf.

Of all of the known facilities in Iran’s expansive nuclear program, the heavy water reactor under construction at Arak is by far the most dangerous. A heavy water reactor’s main purpose is to convert natural uranium directly into plutonium, the preferred fissionable material for nuclear warheads. In fact, if Iran is to have miniaturized nuclear warheads for placement on ballistic missiles, it must get the Arak project up and running. Yes, the Natanz uranium enrichment plant can make bomb-grade uranium. But for compactness, flexibility, ease of delivery, and cost of production, all nuclear weapon states have chosen the heavy water reactor/plutonium method as their primary route. The U.S. had its heavy water reactor/plutonium production facilities at Hanford and later Savannah River. The Israelis have Dimona. The North Koreans have (had) Yongbyon. Arak is this site for the Iranians.

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There is much more. This is a very interesting development. China has had the Iranian's back at the UN for sometime now along with the Russians. That may change. China has also been a arms supplier to the Iranians, some of which have been reexported to Iraq and Afghanistan. This event could effect that business too.

I view it as a net negative for Iran. The regime's paranoia is catching up with them. It is also making them look like they have something to hide with their "peaceful" nuke program.