Iran seeks Russian support to develop domestic nuclear power capacity

Expanded cooperation between Iran and Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom could enable Tehran to move from purchasing nuclear technology to building nuclear power plants, a board member of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce Reza Rafiei said on August 20.

According to Rafiei, closer cooperation with Rosatom could transform Iran from a buyer of nuclear technology into a country capable of building nuclear power plants, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

He also said Russian contractors had resumed work on the second and third phases of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant.

The comments indicate a potential expansion of Iran’s nuclear cooperation with Russia beyond the purchase of technology and towards greater domestic capacity in nuclear power plant construction.

By Aghakazim Guliyev