Comparison of Iraqi Nuclear Weapon Potential With and Without Intrusive Inspections, end 2001: table
| Weapon-Grade Uranium* (kg) | No. of Nuclear Weapons | |
| Scenario 1- No invasion of Kuwait, 1980s-type inspections | 340 | 21 |
| Scenario 2- Invasion of of Kuwait, 1980s-type inspections or no intrusive inspections | 140 | 9 |
| Scenario 3- Status Quo | 0 | 0 |
* Weapon-grade uranium is highly enriched uranium enriched over 90
percent in the isotope uranium 235 and the most desirable grade
material for nuclear weapons.
Definition of the Scenarios
Scenario 1: This scenario reflects the probable progress of Iraqi
nuclear weapon production if Iraq had not invaded Kuwait, and
safeguards inspections similar to those used in the 1980s had continued.
Scenario 2: This case reflects a probable estimate of Iraqi nuclear
weapon production if Iraq had invaded Kuwait, but UN Security
Council-mandated inspections were not instituted or carried out for a
short period. This case assumes economic and military sanctions would
have remained in effect.
Scenario 3: This scenario represents the actual situation that
included UN Security Council-mandated inspections. Following the
departure of inspectors in 1998, Iraq is assessed to have reconstituted
its nuclear weapons program, but it has not succeeded in making or
acquiring enough highly enriched uranium or plutonium for nuclear
weapons yet.
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