Iran’s Bid to Buy Banned Magnets Stokes Fears about Major Expansion of Nuclear Capacity

February 13, 2013

Author: 

Joby Warrick

Publication: 

Washington Post

Iran attempted to procure 100,000 ring-shaped magnets from China in 2011, according to purchase orders obtained by nuclear researchers.  The magnets are made of barium strontium ferrite and their dimensions appear to match those used in Iran's IR-1 gas centrifuge.  The magnets are on a U.N. list of goods Iran is prohibited from importing.  It is unclear whether this procurement attempt succeeded.