In a recent announcement, Behrouz Kamalvandi — spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) — revealed that Iran and Russia have reached agreements to build five additional nuclear power plants in Iran. He said these would be larger than the Bushehr plant, marking a deepening of nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
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The Plan in Detail
The agreements were discussed during meetings in Russia, especially at the Atom Expo 2025 event.
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Kamalvandi said these new plants would have a capacity of about 1,200 megawatts each — significantly larger than Iran’s existing reactor.
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The total plan includes four units in southern Iran, generating nearly 5,000 megawatts (5 gigawatts) combined.
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Russia has already helped Iran with the Bushehr nuclear plant, which is considered a successful project. Kamalvandi praised that cooperation and said it meets international safety standards.
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Aside from large reactors, the talks also covered small modular reactors and further research in nuclear fusion and related technologies.
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Why This Matters
Energy Needs in Iran
Iran faces electricity shortages especially during times of high demand. Expanding nuclear capacity would help meet those needs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
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Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
Nuclear projects are heavily watched by other nations. The cooperation with Russia sends a strong signal about Iran’s desire to expand its peaceful nuclear energy capabilities.
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Technical and Safety Questions
Building large reactors is a complex task — it involves technical know-how, safety systems, regulatory oversight, and long timelines. Russia’s experience in nuclear engineering (through its company Rosatom) will be crucial.
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International Scrutiny
Because of concerns over nuclear proliferation, Iran’s nuclear program draws global attention. Any expansion will likely be watched by organizations like the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and by Western governments.
Possible Challenges & Questions
Approval & Oversight: Will Iran allow full inspections and oversight by international bodies?
Financing & Cost: Building nuclear plants is capital-intensive. How much will Iran contribute, and how much will Russia invest?
Timeline: Such major power plants can take many years from agreement to operation.
Public & Political Reactions: Some countries might raise objections or concerns about regional balance and security.
Outlook & What Comes Next
In coming months, we may see:
Detailed contracts signed between Russia and Iran clarifying the exact number, locations, cost, and schedule.
Site selection and engineering studies for the plants, especially in southern Iran as mentioned by Kamalvandi.
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Visits by Russian technical teams to Iran to inspect sites, start groundwork, or supervise project design.
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International responses, especially from the UN, the IAEA, and nations concerned about nuclear proliferation.
In summary, Kamalvandi’s announcement underscores Iran’s ambition to expand its nuclear power capacity, leveraging Russian expertise. If realized, these new plants could reshape Iran’s energy landscape. But the success of the project will depend on technical execution, international cooperation, and transparency.