In Russian President Vladimir Putin’s telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani July 16, the two discussed “the implementation of large joint energy projects,” according to the Kremlin’s readout. Such projects may include oil and gas projects, but the largest energy project pending between Iran and Russia is for Russia to build more nuclear power stations in the Islamic Republic. The plan for joint energy projects could take on greater significance in light of the ongoing discussion, mentioned several times by President Rouhani, for a sweeping 25-year development deal between Iran and China, despite threats of U.S. sanctions.
In 2011, Iran opened the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was built by Russia’s Atomstroyexport. In 2014, the two countries signed a deal under which Russia would build 8 more nuclear reactors in Iran. That agreement was constricted and harassed by Britain’s and the United States’ attempts to shut down Iran’s nuclear power development altogether. On May 8, 2018, the United States announced its withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Rather than that discouraging Russia and Iran, on Aug. 25, 2018, the two countries announced that they had resumed talks to build those 8 plants, including a nuclear complex in Iran capable of generating 3,000 MW of electricity.
