Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 31
By Khalid Kazimov -- Trend:
China is ready to help Iran build a big nuclear power plant and Chinese officials have even said they are ready to take care of the funding, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi said.
Commenting on a recent visit by Ali akbar Salehi, the Iranian nuclear chief to China, Kamalvandi said views were exchanged during the talks on various nuclear issues, including the Arak heavy-water facilities - of which kind there are many in China, Mehr news agency reported August 31.
He said arrangements were made for China to help Iran with rebuilding the Arak reactor as well.
According to Iran 's recent nuclear deal with the group P5+1 (the US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany), which restricts Iran's nuclear program, the Arak facility has to be redesigned and rebuilt according to requirements by the six powers.
The world powers claim their requirements follow efforts to make sure Iran does not pursue a nuclear weapon program.
Kamalvandi further said that Iran and China have also discussed building smaller-size reactors.
"The joint production of small reactors was put on the agenda," he noted.
Iran plans to build at least 12 nuclear power plants in 15 years.
The country has so far been using Russian help in building its first nuclear power plant, in Bushehr, and has more contracts with the northern superpower to build a couple more power plants.
The AEOI has indicated that as Iran's relations with the world improve following the nuclear deal, cooperation with Western countries may also be considered.
Edited by CN