Russia increases presence at Iran nuclear plant

Russia announced on Wednesday it will be increasing its presence at a major nuclear power plant in Iran this November. The head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced the number of construction workers in Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant would be increasing to 200. The plans to increase their presence will bring them in line with the staffing levels needed to move in line with the project’s schedule. Rosatom was forced to evacuate hundreds of staff from Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant after the outbreak of the US-Israel led war in February. Director General Alexei Likhachev announced the company is building two new nuclear units at the site. “Of course, a possible escalation in the military situation could have an impact. We are preparing for that, but now we are proceeding on the basis of an optimistic scenario,” Likhachev told reporters. Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev announced the move on Wednesday (AP)Russia and Iran’s nuclear partnership appears to be strengthening in the wake of the ongoing war. In September 2025, Russia and Iran signed an agreement for the construction of a new nuclear power plant, Sirik, in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province, near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that the deal was worth £25billion and that the units would have a combined capacity of about five gigawatts - by comparison, the finished Bushehr complex would have a capacity of less than three gigawatts. If completed, Sirik will further tie Iran’s civilian nuclear energy sector to Russia’s emerging technology, and have the capacity to fuel supplies for decades to come. Russia and Iran have continued to strengthen their political, economic and military alliances in recent years as Western sanctions have spurred both nations to develop alternative routes for trade and technological cooperation. Iran has faced significant international sanctions for decades (AFP/Getty)The two countries have also sought new trade agreements, closer links between their ban king sectors, an increase in cross-border trade and major investment in strategic sectors. Russia continues to face extensive Western sanctions after its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The measures, currently in force, have targeted key sectors of its economy, including energy, finance, trade and defence, and are intended to limit Moscow’s ability to finance the war and attack Ukraine. The Russian Federation has also faced extensive sanctions over human rights abuses and actions, which have been viewed by Western governments as major threats to international security. Iran, even before the war, has faced decades of sanctions from the US and international community over its nuclear program, concerns about possible nuclear weapons development and its support for armed groups across the Middle East. Additional restrictions target Iran’s ballistic missile program, military activities and human rights abuses.