New Nuclear Plants 'an Indication of Growing Trust Between Russia, Iran'

On Friday, Sergei Kiriyenko, the head of Russia's Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, announced that the construction of two new units at the Bushehr nuclear facility would begin shortly.

"We are coordinating the date with our Iranian colleagues; everything is basically ready. We are about to complete the survey of the seismological situation," Kiriyenko said.

In November 2014, Russia and Iran agreed on the construction of two nuclear reactor units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, using Russian technology, with the possibility of six additional units in the future.

Commenting on Rosatom's announcement, Hassan Beheshtipour, a documentary producer and political commentator who contributes frequently to Iran's Press TV, told Sputnik Persian that the Russian-Iranian agreement is just another indication of the growing trust between Moscow and Tehran.

"Some time ago," the commentator noted, "the first phase of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant became a symbol of Russia's cooperation [with Iran], not only in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, but in general. Today we are experiencing a similar period, when the two sides have imbued one another with an even greater sense of confidence. Undoubtedly, the construction of the new reactors will strengthen cooperation in other areas."

"The agreement between Iran and Russia on the construction of the second and third stages of the Bushehr NPP was signed some time ago," Beheshtipour recalled. "However, the details were not disclosed. Now its clear now that everything is set for implementation. Most likely, the new reactors will provide the standard Russian capacity – 1000 MW [apiece]."

"Regarding news of the possible participation of Hungary in Bushehr II-III, here a clarification is necessary," the commentator explained. "The founder and lead contractor on the project will be Russia. Other countries, most likely, will be able to act as exporters of certain types of equipment, and to perform auxiliary functions. But here things are not so simple. It is enough to recall that Ukraine had at one time committed itself to supply a steam turbine for the first phase of Bushehr, but then, at the last moment, refused to honor the contract, pointing to the sanctions which were in place against Iran at the time."

Ultimately, Beheshtipour says, "Russia remains a priority option for Iran when it comes to the construction of powerful nuclear reactors. Moreover, the new project at Bushehr is attractive for Iran in the strategic sense – as it means the construction of two new units at once. It's true, Tehran signed an agreement with China on the construction of a small capacity plant [in] southern Iran, but we already have a record of experience with Russia – one which has time-tested."