Why it matters:
The talks highlight the expanding scope of Iran–Russia cooperation in the nuclear field, underscoring Tehran’s long-term strategy to develop peaceful nuclear energy despite Western pressure and sanctions.
The big picture:
Iran and Russia already maintain extensive political and economic ties.
Their cooperation in nuclear energy has been ongoing for more than a decade, with the Bushehr plant serving as a flagship project.
Moscow’s role remains central as Tehran seeks both large-scale and small modular reactors to meet future energy needs.
What he is saying:
“Iran and Russia have very good relations across various political and economic fields, and one area of broad and expanding cooperation is the nuclear sector,” said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
“The Bushehr nuclear power plant has consistently received the highest possible safety rating—100 out of 100—from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). This reflects both its quality and the strong political ties between the two countries.”
“Negotiations and agreements, particularly on building nuclear power plants larger than Bushehr with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, were reached. In total, four units with a combined capacity of nearly 5,000 megawatts in southern Iran are under discussion.”
“Small-scale reactors are equally important, as the global trend is moving toward modular, replicable plants. We can obtain much of this technology from Russia.”
Key points:
- Talks covered four new reactor units with a combined capacity of nearly 5,000 MW.
- Iran signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia on small modular reactors.
- A Russian technical delegation is expected to visit Iran for follow-up discussions.
- The meetings took place during the Atom Expo 2025 and the Global Atomic Forum in Russia, marking 80 years of Moscow’s atomic program.
- Kamalvandi described the visit as “very successful,” paving the way for deeper cooperation on large and small nuclear plants, fusion, and radio-pharmaceuticals.
Go deeper:
The Bushehr plant, in operation for over 12 years with Russian support, remains a symbol of Iran’s determination to pursue civilian nuclear energy under international oversight. Tehran’s focus on both large-scale reactors and emerging modular technologies underscores a dual strategy: addressing rising domestic electricity demand while pushing forward in high-tech scientific fields. This approach highlights Iran’s intent to expand its nuclear capabilities despite persistent geopolitical constraints.
Zohre Khazaee - Neda Sajjadi
