Iran has signed a US$25 billion agreement with Russia’s state nuclear company, Rosatom, to build four nuclear power plants on Iranian soil, state media reported via the IRNA news agency. The new accord expands on past arrangements under which Russia and Iran had already planned a larger number of reactors.
The deal was disclosed on September 26, It follows a memorandum of understanding signed earlier (on September 24) between Rosatom’s chief Alexey Likhachev and Iran’s Vice-President and nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami, which covered cooperation on constructing small modular nuclear power plants. Under that MoU, Iran aims to build eight nuclear plants in total as part of its push to reach 20 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2040.
Of the eight plants, four will be located in Bushehr, the site of Iran’s first large nuclear reactor, which was constructed with Russian assistance. The new $25 billion agreement formalizes construction of four additional plants under this broader framework.
Iran’s nuclear leadership says the deal is part of Tehran’s broader strategy to address chronic electricity shortages and to modernize and expand its civilian power infrastructure. Russia’s role, via Rosatom, continues to be central: not only in financing and constructing reactors, but also in supplying design, technical support, and regulatory cooperation.
The announcement comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear programme. Western nations have raised concerns about uranium enrichment levels, transparency, and the possibility of sanctions being reinstated. Iranian officials, including Eslami, maintain that Iran’s objectives are peaceful and that all projects are consistent with international obligations.
Implementation steps, including site studies, licensing, and final contract signings, are expected to follow soon. Some of the plants are categorized under “small modular reactors” (SMRs), a technology that appeals because of modularity, lower upfront costs, and scalability.
