TEHRAN – The chief Iranian nuclear official said they will sign a new agreement on the construction of additional nuclear power plants in Iran when Tehran and Moscow officially visit Russia this week.
Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), and vice president, arrived in Moscow on Monday to lead a high-ranking delegation. His trip coincides with the World Atomic Week event, which will be held in the Russian capital from September 25th to 29th, and includes meetings with Russian officials.
Speaking to reporters on arrival, Eslami said under an existing contract between the two governments, Russia is tasked with building eight nuclear power plants in Iran, four of which are already underway in Busher, Nangan.
He explained that Tehran informed Moscow of the construction of the remaining plants and that the research and negotiations needed for the second phase of the contract have already been finalized. “The location is selected, prepared and equipped,” he pointed out, adding that work will soon move into the operational stages of design, engineering and implementation once the new contract is finished later this week.
Turning to Iran’s relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Eslami stressed that Tehran has consistently supported its commitment to protection and continues to pursue a peaceful nuclear program. At the same time, he criticized what British, French and German European troikas were called “politicized” approaches, urging them not to undermine the credibility of the United Nations and international organizations.
“European countries should ensure that world organizations can perform their duties fairly and professionally within the framework of international regulatory,” Eslami said. He warned that their current actions would hamper peace and violate international law.
Eslami also accused the IAEA of not denounce us and Israel’s “terrorist attacks” in June. “The agency’s silence shows the destructive effects deep within it,” he accused.
Iran says Israel launched a surprising war on June 13, targeting senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. A few days later, the US joined the conflict, shocking three Iranian nuclear sites with what Tehran calls a serious violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Development is set against the backdrop of new nuclear tensions. On Friday, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution that would block the UK, France and Germany from re-suspending sanctions against Iran.
Tehran dismissed the move as “illegal” and said in 2018 the US had already waived the agreement. Iranian officials have accused European oversight authority of conditioning Washington’s sanctions.