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Iran launches carbon fiber production amid sanctions
August 27, 2011 - 15:33 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has inaugurated its own production of carbon
fiber, a material under U.N. embargo because of its potential use in
the country's controversial nuclear program, AP reported citing
official IRNA news agency.
Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said Iran decided to manufacture
the strategic material domestically since it could no longer access
carbon fiber on foreign markets because of the international
sanctions.
"Because of the restrictions imposed by the enemies, Iran faced
challenges in getting access to carbon fiber," Vahidi said. "That had
caused a bottleneck in Iran's production of advanced and smart defense
systems," he said, claiming Iran has mastered the entire process of
carbon fiber production.
Iran uses carbon fiber for more advanced centrifuges, which spin
uranium gas to produce enriched uranium. Low-enriched uranium can be
used as nuclear fuel while highly enriched uranium can be used in a
warhead.
Carbon fiber is extremely strong, light and flexible, with high
tolerance for heat. It can be used in aerospace and civil engineering,
as well as for military purposes. Its production is extremely complex.
Because of the UN ban on sales of carbon fiber to Iran, Tehran has
previously had to buy it on foreign markets, presumably through
middlemen. It has not disclosed where it obtained previous batches.
August 27, 2011 - 15:33 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has inaugurated its own production of carbon
fiber, a material under U.N. embargo because of its potential use in
the country's controversial nuclear program, AP reported citing
official IRNA news agency.
Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said Iran decided to manufacture
the strategic material domestically since it could no longer access
carbon fiber on foreign markets because of the international
sanctions.
"Because of the restrictions imposed by the enemies, Iran faced
challenges in getting access to carbon fiber," Vahidi said. "That had
caused a bottleneck in Iran's production of advanced and smart defense
systems," he said, claiming Iran has mastered the entire process of
carbon fiber production.
Iran uses carbon fiber for more advanced centrifuges, which spin
uranium gas to produce enriched uranium. Low-enriched uranium can be
used as nuclear fuel while highly enriched uranium can be used in a
warhead.
Carbon fiber is extremely strong, light and flexible, with high
tolerance for heat. It can be used in aerospace and civil engineering,
as well as for military purposes. Its production is extremely complex.
Because of the UN ban on sales of carbon fiber to Iran, Tehran has
previously had to buy it on foreign markets, presumably through
middlemen. It has not disclosed where it obtained previous batches.