Iran, Russia move ahead with nuclear cooperation in new power plant deal

(Reuters): The head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation, Mohammad Eslami, has arrived in Moscow for talks, Iranian state-run media said on Monday, as the United Nations considers whether to reimpose sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

On Friday, the 15-member UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Tehran, a move backed by Russia and China and opposed by Britain, France and Germany, who want to reimpose restrictions.

The European nations accuse Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies having such intentions, while Russia says it supports Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.

Eslami, who is also Iran’s vice president, told Iranian state media that bilateral cooperation agreements would be signed during his visit to Russia, including a plan to construct eight nuclear power plants as Tehran seeks to reach 20 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2040.

“Contract negotiations have taken place and with the signing of the agreement this week, we will enter the operational steps,” Eslami said.

Iran, which suffers from electricity shortages during high-demand months, currently operates only one nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr, built by Russia with a capacity of about 1 GW.

Britain, France and Germany have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal on Tehran’s nuclear programme – if Iran restores access for U.N. inspectors, addresses concerns about enriched uranium stockpiles, and engages with the United States.

Any delay on sanctions would require a Security Council resolution. If no deal is reached by Sept. 27, all UN sanctions will be reimposed.