Iranian state media, IRNA, announced a significant development in Iran-Russia relations: Russia has agreed to construct eight nuclear power plants in Iran, with four slated for the southern city of Bushehr.

This ambitious project, as confirmed by Mohammad Eslami, President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), marks a pivotal step in Iran’s plan to triple its nuclear energy capacity and strengthen its energy infrastructure.

The announcement, reported by The Jerusalem Post and other outlets, underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Tehran and Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration between Russia and Iran in the nuclear sector. Russia previously assisted Iran in constructing its first nuclear reactor at Bushehr, a 1,000-megawatt (MW) VVER unit operational since 2013.

Currently, two additional units (Units 2 and 3) are under construction at the Bushehr site, led by Iranian companies, with commercial operation of Unit 2 expected by 2029.

The new deal, however, expands this cooperation significantly, with Russia committing to build eight additional nuclear power plants, including four in Bushehr, as part of a broader energy strategy.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, emphasized the scale of the agreement during a visit to AEOI headquarters in Tehran.

He noted that the project aligns with Iran’s goal to bolster its domestic energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite the country’s vast oil and gas reserves.

Mohammad Eslami highlighted that the AEOI aims to triple Iran’s nuclear power generation capacity, a move seen as critical to addressing chronic electricity shortages and supporting economic growth.

This nuclear deal comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly the United States, over Iran’s nuclear program.

The announcement coincides with ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Oman, aimed at curbing Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.

The U.S. has expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with demands for the complete dismantling of its enrichment and weaponization programs.

Iran, however, insists its nuclear activities are peaceful and has rejected calls to halt uranium enrichment, asserting its right to develop nuclear energy.

Russia’s role in this agreement is particularly significant given its position as a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council and a key player in the now-defunct 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

By supplying nuclear fuel and retrieving spent fuel for reprocessing, Russia ensures compliance with international safeguards, reducing fears that Iran could divert nuclear material for weapons production.

This arrangement mirrors the existing protocol at Bushehr, where Russia supplies and reprocesses fuel to prevent proliferation risks.

Critics, however, remain skeptical. Some argue that the project is overly ambitious and question Russia’s track record, citing delays and cost overruns in prior Bushehr projects.

For instance, Unit 2 at Bushehr, initially expected to be operational earlier, has faced significant setbacks, with completion now projected for 2029. Others view the deal as a geopolitical maneuver, strengthening the Russia-Iran axis in the face of Western sanctions and shifting global alliances.

Iran’s push for nuclear energy is driven by practical needs. Despite holding the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, the country faces chronic energy shortages due to underinvestment in its energy sector, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions.

The construction of eight new nuclear power plants, potentially adding thousands of megawatts to Iran’s grid, could significantly alleviate these shortages and support industrial growth.

Additionally, the deal includes a $4 billion agreement with Russian companies to develop seven oil fields, further cementing economic ties.

The Bushehr expansion, combined with a new 300-MW nuclear plant under construction in Khuzestan province, reflects Iran’s multifaceted approach to energy development.

The AEOI’s focus on domestic expertise, as seen in the construction of Bushehr’s Units 2 and 3 by Iranian firms, also signals growing technological self-reliance.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), led by Director-General Rafael Grossi, continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities closely, with Grossi describing Iran as his “biggest preoccupation” in a recent interview.

While the IAEA has not reported violations of Iran’s commitments under previous agreements, concerns persist about the potential dual-use nature of nuclear technology.

Western nations, including the U.S. and Israel, have historically opposed Russia’s nuclear cooperation with Iran, fearing it could enhance Iran’s technical capabilities.

However, Russia’s involvement, including its fuel supply and reprocessing commitments, has mitigated some concerns by ensuring international oversight.

The U.S., under the Bush administration, eventually acquiesced to Russia’s role in completing the original Bushehr reactor