MOSCOW: Iran and Russia are preparing to sign major new agreements this week to expand nuclear cooperation, including the construction of multiple nuclear power units in Iran, officials confirmed Monday. The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami, Iran’s vice president and head of the Atomic Energy Organization, as he arrived in Moscow for high-level talks. Reports from both Iranian state media and Russia’s RIA Novosti highlighted the significance of the visit.
Eslami stated that Tehran and Moscow will finalise contracts covering the construction of up to eight nuclear power plants. The projects form part of Iran’s long-term strategy to generate 20 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2040, he said. “Contract negotiations have taken place and with the signing of the agreement this week, we will enter the operational steps,” Eslami told Iranian media before the talks.
The development underscores growing energy and strategic ties between the two nations at a time when Iran’s nuclear programme remains at the centre of international controversy. Western powers continue to accuse Tehran of violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful, while Russia has consistently backed Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy.
The timing of the deal is particularly sensitive, coming just days after the UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution that sought to permanently lift sanctions on Tehran. Britain, France, and Germany offered Iran a six-month delay on the reimposition of penalties in exchange for restoring access to UN inspectors, reducing its enriched uranium stockpile, and engaging in renewed talks with the United States.
Instead, the council voted to reimpose sanctions under the so-called “snapback” mechanism — a clause from the decade-old nuclear accord that allows penalties to be reinstated if Iran is found in breach of its commitments. European governments activated the mechanism earlier this month, accusing Tehran of failing to comply.
Russia’s support for Iran’s nuclear expansion highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape, as both countries face Western sanctions and seek to deepen bilateral cooperation in energy and security. Analysts warn that the agreement could further strain relations between Tehran and Western capitals, while solidifying Moscow’s role as a key partner in Iran’s nuclear development.
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