Iran Plans to Advance Both a Large and a Small Nuclear Power Plant Project

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, stated that the site of Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has returned to a stable state, and Russian experts are gradually returning to the site to participate in the construction and maintenance of related units.

According to Likhachev, 45 Russian personnel are currently at the Bushehr site, with about 30 more preparing to arrive. As planned, the number of Russian personnel on site will increase to 100 by September, mainly including construction project managers and supervision staff.

While advancing existing projects, Russia and Iran are discussing new nuclear cooperation. Previously, the two sides had signed an agreement to build another large nuclear power plant. Recently, Iran has also proposed the idea of constructing a small nuclear power plant and has received a draft intergovernmental agreement for such a project.

Maintenance work on Unit 1 of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is also progressing. A group of Russian experts has arrived in Iran to participate in the preventive overhaul scheduled for mid-September, which includes replacing some fuel assemblies. The relevant fuel has been delivered to the site.

Likhachev stated that communication between the two sides is ongoing, and related work is proceeding as planned. Despite uncertainties in the external environment, Russia believes there is still room for the development of Iran's nuclear power projects and will participate in subsequent cooperation.