Iran and Russia to construct new nuclear power plant

Iran and Russia have agreed to construct a new nuclear power plant, according to a report by TASS. This development marks an expansion of their decades-long cooperation in nuclear energy, which has been primarily exemplified by the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

The Bushehr plant, developed through joint efforts since the 1990s, currently generates 1,024 megawatts of nuclear electricity for Iran. Construction of Units 2 and 3 of the Bushehr plant is also underway with Russian participation, and these units are expected to have a combined capacity of more than 2,000 megawatts.

The announcement was made by Alexey Likhachev, the head of Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, during a meeting with Iranian officials. Likhachev's remarks indicate that nuclear cooperation between Tehran and Moscow could expand beyond the ongoing Bushehr projects, potentially leading to the construction of additional nuclear power units in Iran.

This new agreement underscores the deepening energy partnership between the two countries, which have faced Western sanctions on their nuclear programs. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move for both nations to bolster their energy independence and technological capabilities.

According to the report by Mehr News Agency (MNA), the details of the new plant's location, capacity, and timeline have not yet been disclosed. However, the move signals a continued commitment to nuclear energy cooperation between Iran and Russia.