Iran eyes Russia and China for nuclear investment, ties

• Published date: 23 March 2024
• Author: SETH J. FRANTZMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

His discussion about Russia and Iran regarding nuclear energy comes at a sensitive time because Iran's nuclear program has not been in the spotlight in the last six months, in part due to the war in Gaza. However, Iran is seeking to continue to expand its various nuclear programs

"We have agreements with Russia for the construction of several nuclear power plants, one power plant – Bushehr – has been delivered and two power plants are under construction. Of course, we are going to build the Karun power plant in Darkhovin completely locally, relying on industry, technology, and the power of local experts," he said. That plant is supposed to be located in Khuzestan province around 70 km. south of Ahvaz on the Karun River.

Long history of cooperation between the two countries

Russia-Iranian cooperation on nuclear issues goes back many years. In 2015, Iran claimed that Russia would "begin building two nuclear power reactors in Iran next week, under a deal signed last year between subsidiaries of the countries' atomic energy agencies," VOA reported. In 2017, Kamalvandi discussed talks with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom's director-general, Alexey Likhachov, regarding the construction of units 2 and 3 at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

At the time reports also said they discussed the "opening of the Caspian Sea route for the transport of nuclear materials and interaction under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)." These discussions continued through 2022 but it appears that not much progress was made.

There is a kind of "waiting for Godot" aspect to stories about Russia and Iran's cooperation on these nuclear issues...