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Saddam Hussein had the materials necessary to build nuclear weapons - the invasion prevented him from attaining the proper machines necessary to complete weapons manufacturing.
Just this past summer, it was learned that in the early days of the Iraq War, US forces seized 55 tons of Uranium yellowcake, a low-grade ore. While not suitable for weapons, it can be enriched by using a centrifuge of certain capability. Centrifuges to enrich the yellowcake to weapons-grade nuclear material wasn't obtained by Iraq, though had the invasion not happened it would've happened eventually.
The yellowcake was guarded by US forces from the beginning of the war until this past summer, when a deal was reached with Canada (with the agreement of the new Iraqi government) to sell the Uranium and get it out of the country. The reason that it had been closely guarded and a secret is that neighboring Iran DOES have the kinds of centrifuges to enrich material to weapons grade. It would have been a major disaster had that material found its way into terrorist hands.
Whether he was able to procure tactical nukes or those of smaller design is not known publicly; such information is rarely released to the public, even if politically advantageous to do so. However, since the US and other countries have the ability to find nuclear weapons by a variety of classified means, it's a safe bet that if he did, they're gone now, either found by Coalition forces or moved out of the country to a neighboring Arab state.
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∙ 15y ago
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Were nuclear bombs were used in Iraq?
No, the only nuclear weapons ever used in combat were the two used in 1945 on Japan to end WW2.
What other nation of the world have nuclear weapons?
IRAQ, is not known to have any nuclear weaponsUSASoviet Union (now Russia)United KingdomFranceChinaOther known nuclear powers IndiaPakistanNorth Korea
What was nuclear deterrence or mutual destruction?
nuclear deterrence - the idea that if you attack me with nuclear weapons then I will attack you back with nuclear weaponsmutual assured destruction - the idea that if you attack me with nuclear weapons then I will totally destroy you with nuclear weapons and if I attack you with nuclear weapons then you will totally destroy me with nuclear weapons - thus any nuclear attack by either party will result in the certain destruction of both parties
Indian rank in nuclear weapons in world?
fifth rank in nuclear weapons
Does Egypt have nuclear weapons?
Egypt is not believed or suspected to have nuclear weapons, or a nuclear weapons program, at this time (May 2009). See Related Link for a discussion of the world's nuclear powers.
Are nuclear weapons being used in Iraq?
No
How many nuclear weapons does Iraq have?
zero
What is the Iraq War about?
The U.S. thought they had nuclear weapons..
Does Iraq have any nuclear weapons such as atomic bombs?
no
What has the author Zachary S Davis written?
Zachary S Davis has written: 'Iraq and nuclear weapons' -- subject(s): Nuclear weapons
What countries should you not trust with nuclear weapons?
iraq, north korea
When did gorgr bush make a war in Iraq?
He thought they were hiding Nuclear Weapons, A.K.A "Mass weapons of destruction."
Should you bomb Iraq with nuclear weapons?
I do not have the power to bomb anything or anyone. As for whether anyone should use nuclear weapons, I am fervently opposed to that idea.
How do you put blundered in a sentence?
The United States of America, and her allies, blundered into a war in a Iraq, thinking that Saddam Hussein had "weapons of mass destruction" (for example nuclear, biological, chemical weapons), when it fact Iraq did not have "weapons of mass destruction".
Why countries feel they must develop nuclear weapons and who are these countries?
They feel the need to have nuclear weapons so they have protection against nuclear threats or actually anykind of threat. Countries might be Iran, Iraq, Russia(U.S.S.R)
Why do UN weapons inspectors visit nuclear power stations in Iraq?
I don't think there are any nuclear plants in Iraq, perhaps you are thinking of Iran? This is part of the UN mission to try to establish just what is going on nuclearwise in that country, which of course the US and EU in particular want to prevent acquiring nuclear weapons.
Were nuclear bombs were used in Iraq?
No, the only nuclear weapons ever used in combat were the two used in 1945 on Japan to end WW2.
