Russia may build eight nuclear reactors for Iran

[Chef Ramsay]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in the Islamic state, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday.
Related Stories

It was not immediately clear how this might affect six global powers' talks with Iran addressing disputed aspects of its nuclear program. Iran has resisted demands for cuts in its uranium enrichment capacity, pointing to plans for a future network of nuclear power stations.

Western powers want any lasting agreement with Iran to put to rest suspicions that it could develop nuclear weapons-making ability through enrichment. Iran denies any such intent.

The talks ended last week with little progress; they are to resume in Vienna in June.

Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran's only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr.

"Russia and Iran may sign an intergovernmental agreement this year on building from four to eight nuclear reactors, and, under the deal, the contract for the construction of the first two reactors as additions to Bushehr," the source said.


Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said earlier it was in talks with Iran on the potential construction of more reactors there but revealed no details. Rosatom officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

Longstanding Western fears that the Bushehr project could yield spent fuel of use in nuclear weapons - something it denies it is seeking to do - receded after Iran promised to send the material back to Russia.

Moscow voted for four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear activity but has sharply criticized additional measures imposed by the United States and European Union, calling them a hindrance to diplomacy in search of a permanent settlement with Tehran.

Video from Reuters @ http://news.yahoo.com/russia-may-build-eight-nuclear-reactors-iran-134635604.html
I know the western freak show over Iran going nuclear is way overblown but it is sure used as a boogyman by neocons (the war on terror was yesteryear's boogy) to maintain support w/i the republican party by pretending to be defense hawks which shrouds their whoring for MIC profits. Anyone remember the clip of Obama whispering to Putin prior to his reelection saying that afterwards he'd have more leeway in foreign affairs.. I wouldn't be surprised if this Ukraine stuff and this nuclear biz is all meant to keep money flowing to weapons and tech innovation for all related top world companies as sort of a shell cold war 2.0 game. It's obvious to anyone w/ any semblance of intelligence that the US has already sold the farm and there's no financial way out besides inflation and war games to provide cover and shift domestic tension elsewhere the best they can. Think of the way North Korea plays their cards.

[bryant.coleman]

After petroleum and natural gas, nuclear fuel is the most important source of foreign currency for Russia. So Russia might ignore the safety concerns in Iran, for the sake of additional revenue.

http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2013/11/13/rosatom-s-foreign-portfolio-reaches-usd-66-5-billion

[sana8410]

 A new deal with iran and one with china as well. boy we are just having a good old time here in the USA annoying every one of our global enemies instead of trying to fix what's broken about our own country.

[bryant.coleman]

Another important deal was signed today... mostly ignored by the Western media.

Russia, India sign deal on Kudankulam NPP second stage

http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/732752

[Rigon]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in the Islamic state, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday.
Related Stories

It was not immediately clear how this might affect six global powers' talks with Iran addressing disputed aspects of its nuclear program. Iran has resisted demands for cuts in its uranium enrichment capacity, pointing to plans for a future network of nuclear power stations.

Western powers want any lasting agreement with Iran to put to rest suspicions that it could develop nuclear weapons-making ability through enrichment. Iran denies any such intent.

The talks ended last week with little progress; they are to resume in Vienna in June.

Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran's only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr.

"Russia and Iran may sign an intergovernmental agreement this year on building from four to eight nuclear reactors, and, under the deal, the contract for the construction of the first two reactors as additions to Bushehr," the source said.


Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said earlier it was in talks with Iran on the potential construction of more reactors there but revealed no details. Rosatom officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

Longstanding Western fears that the Bushehr project could yield spent fuel of use in nuclear weapons - something it denies it is seeking to do - receded after Iran promised to send the material back to Russia.

Moscow voted for four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear activity but has sharply criticized additional measures imposed by the United States and European Union, calling them a hindrance to diplomacy in search of a permanent settlement with Tehran.

Video from Reuters @ http://news.yahoo.com/russia-may-build-eight-nuclear-reactors-iran-134635604.html
I know the western freak show over Iran going nuclear is way overblown but it is sure used as a boogyman by neocons (the war on terror was yesteryear's boogy) to maintain support w/i the republican party by pretending to be defense hawks which shrouds their whoring for MIC profits. Anyone remember the clip of Obama whispering to Putin prior to his reelection saying that afterwards he'd have more leeway in foreign affairs.. I wouldn't be surprised if this Ukraine stuff and this nuclear biz is all meant to keep money flowing to weapons and tech innovation for all related top world companies as sort of a shell cold war 2.0 game. It's obvious to anyone w/ any semblance of intelligence that the US has already sold the farm and there's no financial way out besides inflation and war games to provide cover and shift domestic tension elsewhere the best they can. Think of the way North Korea plays their cards.

"Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran's only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr."
This is the sort of disinformation that misleads the American public. Russia didn't "build" that nuclear power reactor. Russia "completed" the nuclear power reactor project that was abandoned by Germany following the 1979 Revolution. That project was the brain child of the US espoused by then US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, in his "atoms for peace" initiative. It supported the idea of building nuclear power plants in Iran to meet domestic energy demands in order to free up the extra hydrocarbons for export. Also, in the 60s/70s, it had been projected that Iran's oil reserves would have been exhausted by 2010 and the general consensus among the Western nations was that Iran needed nuclear power to secure its energy supply.
Today, the West pretends as if the idea of Iran wanting nuclear energy for domestic use is completely absurd.

[nickenburg]

Oke and you guys Iran will make Nuclear bombs with that?
I mean Only thing I heard is they want to make Nuclear energy not bombs.
Only people telling us Iran wants to bomb us are the Western goverments, and media.
And I dont believe them, Only they can have N-bombs they are like the bully only they can have the toys.

[sana8410]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in the Islamic state, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday.
Related Stories

It was not immediately clear how this might affect six global powers' talks with Iran addressing disputed aspects of its nuclear program. Iran has resisted demands for cuts in its uranium enrichment capacity, pointing to plans for a future network of nuclear power stations.

Western powers want any lasting agreement with Iran to put to rest suspicions that it could develop nuclear weapons-making ability through enrichment. Iran denies any such intent.

The talks ended last week with little progress; they are to resume in Vienna in June.

Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran's only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr.

"Russia and Iran may sign an intergovernmental agreement this year on building from four to eight nuclear reactors, and, under the deal, the contract for the construction of the first two reactors as additions to Bushehr," the source said.


Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said earlier it was in talks with Iran on the potential construction of more reactors there but revealed no details. Rosatom officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

Longstanding Western fears that the Bushehr project could yield spent fuel of use in nuclear weapons - something it denies it is seeking to do - receded after Iran promised to send the material back to Russia.

Moscow voted for four rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear activity but has sharply criticized additional measures imposed by the United States and European Union, calling them a hindrance to diplomacy in search of a permanent settlement with Tehran.

Video from Reuters @ http://news.yahoo.com/russia-may-build-eight-nuclear-reactors-iran-134635604.html
I know the western freak show over Iran going nuclear is way overblown but it is sure used as a boogyman by neocons (the war on terror was yesteryear's boogy) to maintain support w/i the republican party by pretending to be defense hawks which shrouds their whoring for MIC profits. Anyone remember the clip of Obama whispering to Putin prior to his reelection saying that afterwards he'd have more leeway in foreign affairs.. I wouldn't be surprised if this Ukraine stuff and this nuclear biz is all meant to keep money flowing to weapons and tech innovation for all related top world companies as sort of a shell cold war 2.0 game. It's obvious to anyone w/ any semblance of intelligence that the US has already sold the farm and there's no financial way out besides inflation and war games to provide cover and shift domestic tension elsewhere the best they can. Think of the way North Korea plays their cards.

"Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran's only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr."
This is the sort of disinformation that misleads the American public. Russia didn't "build" that nuclear power reactor. Russia "completed" the nuclear power reactor project that was abandoned by Germany following the 1979 Revolution. That project was the brain child of the US espoused by then US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, in his "atoms for peace" initiative. It supported the idea of building nuclear power plants in Iran to meet domestic energy demands in order to free up the extra hydrocarbons for export. Also, in the 60s/70s, it had been projected that Iran's oil reserves would have been exhausted by 2010 and the general consensus among the Western nations was that Iran needed nuclear power to secure its energy supply.
Today, the West pretends as if the idea of Iran wanting nuclear energy for domestic use is completely absurd.

You are 100% correct. Construction of their first plant-changed hand from the U.S. to France and then Germany finally was left incomplete because of revolution etc. What U.S. public doesn't know, like many things, is that the U.S. gave Iran its first reactor late fifties and early 60s,which was a research reactor located in Tehran University and still working. Our  politicians always do everything to feed public with incorrect information.

[Skele]

This is retaliation for our undermining of the democratically elected government in Ukraine and then slapping on sanctions with the threat of more after Russia moved to secure its naval bases in the Crimea, which even an idiot could see Russia absolutely would have to do. This is power politics. We started it, they are retaliating. Its actually quite brilliant.

[Slab Squathrust]

Oke and you guys Iran will make Nuclear bombs with that?
I mean Only thing I heard is they want to make Nuclear energy not bombs.
Only people telling us Iran wants to bomb us are the Western goverments, and media.
And I dont believe them, Only they can have N-bombs they are like the bully only they can have the toys.

Well, I have heard that Iran has enriched uranium to approximately 20% levels.  This is far beyond the level required for reactor operation (3-5% U235).  Further, you apparently are unaware of the physics behind uranium based reactor operations.  The fission of atoms that drive a reactor result in the emission of neutrons.  These can hit another atom of U235, or more likely, strike an atom of U238.  Occasionally, the nucleus can absorb a neutron.  After a quick beta decay, this becomes plutonium (Pu239) in a process known as transmutation.  This is the ideal choice for weapons grade fissile material.  A simple reprocessing of spent reactor fuel can easily be used to obtain enough material for an atomic weapon.     

Unfortunately the shoddy article did not specify what type of reactor the Russians were building for the Iranians.  Nor did it provide any info in regards to the handling of the spent fuel from the reactors.  However, more than likely it is their standard pressurized water reactor designs.  These are uranium fueled and allow for the potential of proliferation.  Ultimately, the construction of any new uranium fuel cycle reactor should be cause for concern for this reason.  Especially in a geopolitically volatile region such as the middle east.  Why there hasn't been more of a focus on alternative nuclear sources such as thorium is beyond me.   

[beetcoin]

ha, this is kind of like a mini-cold war.. where the U.S. imposes sanctions, and russia looks for ways to give the U.S. the finger. is it me or does anyone else think this might not turn out well?

[Littleshop]

Oke and you guys Iran will make Nuclear bombs with that?
I mean Only thing I heard is they want to make Nuclear energy not bombs.
Only people telling us Iran wants to bomb us are the Western goverments, and media.
And I dont believe them, Only they can have N-bombs they are like the bully only they can have the toys.

It is quite obvious they want both nuclear bombs and nuclear energy.  Just the fact that they are refining material way beyond the standards used in a reactor says they want a bomb. 

[arbitrage001]

A new deal with iran and one with china as well. boy we are just having a good old time here in the USA annoying every one of our global enemies instead of trying to fix what's broken about our own country.

US no longer has the influence it once held.

Have not really won any major war since WWII.

[bryant.coleman]

This is retaliation for our undermining of the democratically elected government in Ukraine and then slapping on sanctions with the threat of more after Russia moved to secure its naval bases in the Crimea, which even an idiot could see Russia absolutely would have to do. This is power politics. We started it, they are retaliating. Its actually quite brilliant.

The anti-Russia sanctions are moving Putin towards the East, and away from the West. In the long term, this will harm the Western nations only. They will lose secure supplies of cheap Russian gas, and will be forced to depend upon the expensive Qatari LNG. (The Americans will be happy, as most of the LNG facilities in Qatar are owned by them).

[bryant.coleman]

The West had no alternative to impose sanctions. USA, Russia and the UK signed an agreement in 1994 with Ukraine guarantying the Ukrainian borders, when Ukraine gave up their share of the soviet nuclear weapons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances
If they did nothing, several NATO countries (Poland, Romania, Baltic countries, etc) would start asking is the alliance had any value. Like the 1994 agreement, the OTAN pact is just a scrap of paper.

What load of BS? Did that treaty prevented the CIA from toppling the democratically elected government of Viktor Yanukovych, and replacing it with neo-Nazis from Right Sector? Crimea decided to break away from Ukraine, after the Neo-Nazis seized power in Kiev.

[Balthazar]

Oke and you guys Iran will make Nuclear bombs with that?

It's impossible for two reasons.

This is the ideal choice for weapons grade fissile material.  A simple reprocessing of spent reactor fuel can easily be used to obtain enough material for an atomic weapon.    

Nope.

1) Unlike RBMK and RBMKP series, the VVER serion of reactors is incapable with on-the-fly replacement of fuel. As the result, VVER serion is unable to produce weapons-grade plutinium.
2) Reactor-grade plutonium contains too high share of Pu-240 and Pu-241 isotopes.

[bryant.coleman]

BTW... Russia is currently planning to significantly increase the production of Uranium.

[beetcoin]

The West had no alternative to impose sanctions. USA, Russia and the UK signed an agreement in 1994 with Ukraine guarantying the Ukrainian borders, when Ukraine gave up their share of the soviet nuclear weapons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances
If they did nothing, several NATO countries (Poland, Romania, Baltic countries, etc) would start asking is the alliance had any value. Like the 1994 agreement, the OTAN pact is just a scrap of paper.

well that's pretty fucked. as psycho as russia is as a nation, they would probably have thought twice about invading the ukraine if they had nuclear weapons.

this and the whole north korea thing.. goes to show that it does indeed pay off to have nuclear weapons. and that's a damn dangerous thing.

[bryant.coleman]

well that's pretty fucked. as psycho as russia is as a nation, they would probably have thought twice about invading the ukraine if they had nuclear weapons.

So going by that countries such as Libya and Iraq should have been armed with nuclear weapons, to prevent the Americans from invading them. And we should give nukes to North Korea as well.

[bitsmichel]

So going by that countries such as Libya and Iraq should have been armed with nuclear weapons, to prevent the Americans from invading them. And we should give nukes to North Korea as well.

North Korea has nukes.  As for Iraq, there was nothing they could have done to stop the US invasion simply because their technology was years behind

[Nemo1024]

Not exactly on topic, but:

Russia will sell Syria 12 fighter jets Mig-29M/M2 by the end of 2017, fulfilling the contract from 2007:
http://itar-tass.com/politika/1211997?utm_medium=rss20

The balance of power is being slowly restored...