Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan says Moscow is ready to increase its nuclear cooperation with Tehran even after the Islamic Republic takes full control of Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant

Russia is prepared to offer further assistance on the use of peaceful nuclear energy to Iran following the handover of the nuclear facility to the Iranian side, Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti quoted Dzhagaryan as saying on Tuesday.

He noted that a risk-free startup of the first phase of Bushehr power plant is Moscow’s foremost priority.

The Russian ambassador reiterated that his country stands committed to international regulations while pursuing its own economic interests.

Bushehr nuclear power plant officially became operational in September 2011, generating electricity at 40 percent of its capacity.

The 1,000-megawatt plant, which is operating under the full supervision of the IAEA, reached its maximum power generation capacity in August 2012.

Iran and Russia have assured the international community that the plant is fully compliant with high-level safety standards and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The United States, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that the Iranian nuclear program has been diverted toward military objectives.

 

News ID 185093