Iran has commenced the construction of four additional nuclear power plants in the southern part of the country, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday. The new plants are expected to have a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts, as Iran aims to bolster its nuclear energy production.🚨🇮🇷BREAKING: IRAN BUILDING MASSIVE NUCLEAR PLANT NEAR UAE AND OMAN BORDERSIrans President: We will build a nuclear station in Hormozgan, much larger than Bushehr.Bushehr, Irans first nuclear power plant, has a 1,000-megawatt capacity.The new project in Hormozgan,… pic.twitter.com/pyke7PWJrq— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 1, 2024Iran to generate 20,000 megawatts by 2041Irans ambitious goal is to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear energy by the year 2041. Currently, the country operates one active nuclear power plant with a 1,000-megawatt facility that became operational in 2011 with assistance from Russia. Furthermore, Iran is in the process of constructing a 300-megawatt plant in the oil-rich Khuzestan province, near the western border with Iraq.Why International watchdogs raised eyebrows on Irans nuclear developmentHowever, recent concerns have been raised by the United Nations nuclear watchdog regarding Irans nuclear activities. Last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported an increase in the production rate of near-weapons-grade uranium by Iran. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi noted in the report that Iran had elevated its production of highly enriched uranium, reversing a previous reduction that took place in mid-2023. Iran had previously slowed the enrichment rate to 60%, just a technical step away from the weapons-grade level of 90%.Despite suspicions from the West regarding Irans nuclear ambitions, the country firmly denies seeking nuclear weapons. Mohammad Eslami, the head of Irans atomic agency, mentioned that the new nuclear plants construction is anticipated to be completed in approximately nine years.Strategically positioning of the nuclear power plantsThe four new plants are strategically located in the port town of Sirik on Irans east coast, situated about 1,150 kilometers south of the capital, Tehran. Nasser Shariflou, the head of the project, revealed that the undertaking is projected to cost around $20 billion and is expected to create 4,000 jobs. Each plant is anticipated to utilize 35 tonnes of nuclear fuel per year.As Iran pushes forward with its nuclear energy ambitions, the global community continues to closely monitor the developments, with geopolitical implications and concerns about the countrys nuclear program persisting.
