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Iran Prepares Enrichment Escalation at Fordow Plant, IAEA Report Shows

IN THIS ISSUE: Iran Prepares Enrichment Escalation at Fordow Plant, IAEA Report Shows, South Korea Launches Homegrown Nuri Rocket Carrying Satellites Into Orbit, China Claims Successful Anti-Ballistic Missile Interceptor Test, Australia’s Dutton Says US Can Provide Two Nuclear Subs by 2030, Hyderabad: DRDL Engineer Leaked Data on Nuke-Capable Missiles, PM Kishida Cautious About Japan Acquiring Nuc

Published on June 21, 2022

Iran Prepares Enrichment Escalation at Fordow Plant, IAEA Report Shows

Francois Murphy | Reuters

Iran is escalating its uranium enrichment further by preparing to use advanced IR-6 centrifuges at its underground Fordow site that can more easily switch between enrichment levels, a United Nations nuclear watchdog report seen by Reuters on Monday showed. The move is the latest of several steps Iran had long threatened to take but held off carrying out until 30 of the 35 countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors backed a resolution this month criticizing it for failing to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

South Korea Launches Homegrown Nuri Rocket Carrying Satellites Into Orbit

Jessie Yeung, Yoonjung Seo, and Gawon Bae | CNN

South Korea successfully launched satellites into orbit with its homegrown Nuri rocket on Tuesday, a significant step for the country’s burgeoning space program after a failed attempt last year. The three-stage rocket, more than 47 meters (154 feet) long and weighing 200 tons, was launched from the Naro Space Center in the country’s southern coastal region at 4 p.m. local time. It was topped with five satellites that will carry out Earth observation missions, such as monitoring the atmosphere, for up to two years, as well as a 1.3-ton dummy satellite, according to the country’s Science Ministry.

China Claims Successful Anti-Ballistic Missile Interceptor Test

Jessie Yeung | CNN

China successfully conducted an anti-ballistic missile test on Sunday night, according to the country’s Defense Ministry, part of ongoing military efforts to enhance the country’s defensive capabilities. It was a land-based mid-course missile tested within China’s borders, the ministry said in a brief statement, adding the test was defensive in nature and not targeted against any country. Anti-ballistic missile systems are meant to shield a country from potential attacks by using projectiles to intercept incoming missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Some analysts liken it to shooting down a bullet with another bullet.

Australia’s Dutton Says US Can Provide Two Nuclear Subs by 2030

Sybilla Gross | Bloomberg

Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton reiterated his earlier claims that the US could provide Australia with two nuclear submarines by 2030, without providing material evidence that such a deal would occur. Speaking on the national broadcaster’s “Insiders” program Sunday, Dutton said he had visited counterparts in Connecticut and “spoken with them there” about acquiring the equipment, even though the proposition has attracted skepticism, given there’s been no indication from the US that it agreed to enter a sale.

Hyderabad: DRDL Engineer Leaked Data on Nuke-Capable Missiles

Mahesh Buddi | Times of India

The engineer with Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), who was honeytrapped by a Pakistani spy with the lure of love and marriage, had leaked classified information on India’s missile programme, including development of nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles, said top police sources. He was arrested Friday after a tip-off by intelligence agencies.

PM Kishida Cautious About Japan Acquiring Nuclear-Powered Submarine

Kyodo News

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday took a cautious view about acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine to boost the country's defense capability, a call made by some opposition parties ahead of next month’s House of Councillors election. “I’m not so sure if making the leap to a nuclear submarine is a good idea,” Kishida said in an appearance on a Fuji TV program with other party leaders, as the official campaigning will kick off Wednesday for the July 10 election. The premier cited the difficulty of using nuclear power for military purposes under Japan’s atomic energy law and the high running cost.

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