WANA (Jun 17) – The head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has confirmed that Russian specialists are prepared to return to Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, while urging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to consider the interests of all parties involved.

 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon during the Russia-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Kazan, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev stated, “Our primary concern is the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, and we welcome efforts to resolve this matter.”

 

Likhachev added that Rosatom supports international oversight, including monitoring by the IAEA, “provided that the IAEA assumes a specific responsibility and acts in the interests of all parties involved in the conflict.”

 

Emphasizing that the Bushehr plant remains a key priority for the Russian corporation, Likhachev noted that Rosatom has not paused production for a single moment.

 

“We have not stopped the operations of our engineering units that manufacture the necessary equipment for the new units of the Bushehr plant, and we will continue our cooperation and activities,” he said.

 

Gradual Return of Russian Personnel

Regarding the deployment of personnel back to the facility, the Rosatom chief outlined that a phased return is on the table as safety conditions improve.

 

“The gradual return of Russian specialists to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will be possible as soon as the risk of strikes is minimized. We are prepared for this process and have developed the necessary plans,” Likhachev stated.

 

The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, located in southern Iran, was targeted multiple times during recent military strikes by the United States and the Israeli regime, though the facility’s reactor did not sustain damage.