Iran announced, on Saturday, the start of the process of constructing a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts, in the oil-rich Khuzestan province, in the southwest of the country.
The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, told reporters, “The establishment of the Karun nuclear power plant will provide new industrial and technological capacity for the country,” according to the official IRNA news agency.
He added, at the station establishment ceremony, that the process of establishing the first phase of the station in the city of Darkhwen, began “by making maximum use of local energy within the framework of the comprehensive strategic document that includes the development of the nuclear power plant.”
He pointed out that the establishment of that stage “has been stalled for many years due to the non-compliance of foreigners with their commitments.”
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An Islamist described the project as important and necessary, especially in Khuzestan province.
The Iranian announcement comes amid escalating tensions with the United States over the comprehensive sanctions imposed on Iran following Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal with world powers.
It also comes, less than two weeks after Iran announced the start of enriched uranium production by 60 percent, at the Fordow underground nuclear facility.