Iran negotiates construction of new nuclear power plant units with Russia, state media says

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on January 1, 2025 shows the reactors at Bushehr, 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of Tehran. Israel attacked Iran in a series of air strikes on June 13, hitting 100 targets, including Tehran’s nuclear and military facilities, and killing the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and top nuclear scientists. AFP Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said that Tehran is in constant negotiations with Russia to speed up the construction and completion of new units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars News Agency. In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti this Friday (24), Jalali said he hoped that the works would progress more quickly and highlighted that the two countries remain in contact to ensure the continuity of the project. “We are constantly in contact and hope that conditions are created so that Rosatom employees can carry out their work,” he said. ➡️ Declaration comes amid a ceasefire that has lasted two weeks between Iran and the United States. One of US President Donald Trump’s main demands for an end to the war is for Iran to give up its nuclear program. The Bushehr plant is the main nuclear complex operating in Iran and depends on technical cooperation from the Russian state-owned company Rosatom for the expansion of its units. Jalali also commented on the possibility of Iran charging tariffs on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz and stated that countries considered allies, such as Russia, could receive exemptions. According to the diplomat, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already working to guarantee these exceptions to nations classified by Tehran as “friendly countries”. Military coup or unshakable union? Understand the war of narratives about who is in charge in Iran Plant has been attacked before The Iranian regime accused Israel and the United States of bombing areas close to a nuclear plant at the beginning of the month. Authorities in the country say it was the fourth time since the start of the war that the area around the plant was hit by explosives. One employee died and Russia, which provides operational support to the complex, ordered the withdrawal of almost 200 workers. The Iranian government accuses the United States and Israel of being behind the attack. Iran attacks Middle Eastern countries and accuses the US and Israel of hitting an area close to a nuclear plant In June 2025, the Bushehr plant was directly attacked, which could have caused a nuclear catastrophe, warned the UN Security Council, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. The speech occurred after stating that no radiation emissions were detected from Israel’s bombings, but the “danger” exists. Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed deep concern about the incident. He said that nuclear installations can never be attacked and demanded that military activities be restricted there.

Source link