‘Russia in talks to build more N-plants in Iran’

Russia has built Iran`s only nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr.

Tehran: Russia has put forward "proposals" to
build new nuclear power plants in Iran after the completion of
the Bushehr project, local media reported today quoting the
Islamic republic`s atomic chief.

"We have held negotiations with the Russians regarding the
construction of new nuclear power plants. They have put
forward some proposals," Fereydoon Abbasi Davani was quoted as
saying by Resalat newspaper.

"The exchange of ideas and proposals will continue until a
clear result is reached," Abbasi Davani added.

Russia has built Iran`s only nuclear power plant in the
southern port city of Bushehr against the backdrop of a series
of delays, with Tehran hoping to link the facility to the
national grid in late August.

Abbasi Davani meanwhile insisted that any future deals
with Moscow would be clinched "in a manner that would
safeguard the interests of both parties."
He did not give details about the number of future power
plants or their locations.

He also did not specify whether the proposals were made
during talks with Russian officials earlier this week in
Tehran on how to resume negotiations between Iran and world
powers on the country`s controversial nuclear programme.

Also, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was in
Moscow earlier this week to discuss a Russian proposal aimed
at solving a stalemate in the talks.

Iran, the oil cartel OPEC`s number two oil exporter, has
repeatedly denied allegations that its nuclear plans have a
military dimension amid fears in the West that Tehran seeks to
develop an atomic weapons capability.

Officials in Tehran contend they are only after civilian
energy.

In recent years, the Islamic republic has announced its
intentions to build research nuclear reactors and uranium
enrichment facilities as well as 10 to 20 nuclear power plants
to eventually generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity.

But it is yet to make public concrete plans to construct
atomic power plants besides Bushehr, whose fuel must be
provided by Russia.

PTI

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