[Batrachian]

"Not exactly true, (other than the man-made elements) there are fusions that create elements just above iron, but obviously a pittance compared to iron."

The fusion of iron consumes more energy than it releases, so it doesn't occur except in the case of supernova explosions, with their enormous neutron flux bombarding iron atoms to form heavier elements.

I've heard that heavier elements can form in the accretion disks of black holes, but that's the exception that proves the rule.

What where you referring to?

[Calvin Locke]

In stellar fusion, the process isn't a straight "straight" to iron, but other
lighter atoms fuse creating cobalt, nickel, zinc, etc, are created, but not in quantities
anywhere near the amount of iron.