Brushing aside U.S. accusations that it wants to build atomic weapons, Iran said Sunday it has contracted Russia to build more nuclear power plants, while claiming two European countries have also expressed interest in helping construct similar facilities.
Russia is currently rebuilding Iran's first nuclear reactor, which was begun by West Germany but interrupted during the 1979 Islamic revolution. Damage caused to the facility in Bushehr, a coastal town in southern Iran, during the 1980-88 war with Iraq has also led to its inauguration being postponed from 2003 to August 2006.
Despite the delays and the project's US$800 million (649 million) cost, Iranian nuclear officials say they want Russia to build more nuclear reactors to help generate greater amounts of electricity.
"We have contracts with Russia to build more nuclear reactors. No number has been specified but definitely our contract with Russia is to build more than one nuclear power plant," Asadollah Sabouri, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in charge of nuclear power plants, told reporters Sunday.
Sabouri said Iran will build a second reactor in Bushehr and is studying other sites here for more possible reactors. Most areas in Iran are prone to earthquakes, restricting choices for setting up nuclear facilities.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200408222156.htm
Russia is currently rebuilding Iran's first nuclear reactor, which was begun by West Germany but interrupted during the 1979 Islamic revolution. Damage caused to the facility in Bushehr, a coastal town in southern Iran, during the 1980-88 war with Iraq has also led to its inauguration being postponed from 2003 to August 2006.
Despite the delays and the project's US$800 million (649 million) cost, Iranian nuclear officials say they want Russia to build more nuclear reactors to help generate greater amounts of electricity.
"We have contracts with Russia to build more nuclear reactors. No number has been specified but definitely our contract with Russia is to build more than one nuclear power plant," Asadollah Sabouri, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in charge of nuclear power plants, told reporters Sunday.
Sabouri said Iran will build a second reactor in Bushehr and is studying other sites here for more possible reactors. Most areas in Iran are prone to earthquakes, restricting choices for setting up nuclear facilities.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200408222156.htm