Russia and Iran Sign Memorandum on Small Nuclear Power Plants in Iran

Strategic Insights -

Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, has announced that Moscow and Tehran have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the construction of small nuclear power plants in Iran. The MoU, signed on Wednesday in Moscow, was the result of a meeting between Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), and Alexei Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom. The meeting discussed the progress of ongoing projects and the prospects for cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy. This marks a significant development in the bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran in the nuclear energy sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in small nuclear power plants in Iran was signed in Moscow on Wednesday, following a meeting between Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), and Alexei Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
  • The MoU was discussed during a meeting that also addressed ongoing projects, as well as prospects and promising agendas for cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy between Russia and Iran.
  • Under the intergovernmental agreement between the two countries, Russia is to construct eight nuclear power plants in Iran, four of which will be built in Bushehr.
  • Mohammad Eslami, the head of the AEOI, arrived in Moscow on September 22 to meet with Russian officials, deliver a speech at events marking Russia's Global Atomic Week, and participate in other activities, including tours of contracted factories and discussions aimed at strengthening research and educational cooperation.
  • The meeting between Eslami and Likhachev was held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, which has been a hallmark of cooperation between Rosatom and the AEOI.

Statistics:

  • Eight nuclear power plants are planned to be built in Iran (Source: Rosatom).
  • Four of the planned nuclear power plants in Iran will be built in Bushehr (Source: Rosatom).
  • The meeting between Eslami and Likhachev was part of a visit by the AEOI chief to Moscow that started on September 22 (Source: IRNA).

Sources:

  • Rosatom
  • IRNA