Russia Plans New Nuclear, Oil Cooperation with Iran Despite U.S. Opposition

July 26, 2002
By Angela Charlton Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW (AP) - Ignoring U.S. opposition, Russia plans to sharply increase cooperation with Iran that includes a proposal to build six nuclear reactors in it's southern neighbor, according to a Russian government resolution released Friday.

The plan also envisages Russian help for Iranian oil drilling and the joint launches of satellites.

The 10-year proposed cooperation plan is certain to complicate Moscow's relations with Washington, which have blossomed since President Vladimir Putin offered his support for the U.S.-led war on terror.

Despite the warmer ties, Russia's completion of a nuclear reactor at the Iranian port of Bushehr has clouded relations with Washington. The United States accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism and has said Russian assistance is helping Iran develop nuclear weapons.

Moscow has dismissed the accusations, saying the aid only serves civilian purposes. The new cooperation plan takes the nuclear deal even further: It envisages a total of six Russian-built nuclear reactors in Iran, four at Bushehr and two at a yet-to-be-built plant in Akhvaz.

The resolution was approved by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Wednesday but still must be signed by top Russian and Iranian officials.

It was worked out by Iranian and Russian representatives "taking into account the traditionally friendly relations between the two governments," the resolution says.

Russia will also help Iran explore and drill for oil and gas and build pipelines to bring it to market, including a pipeline to India, the resolution says.

Russia and Iran will work together on a global navigation system that the resolution says would be used for geological research and monitoring a transport corridor between their countries.

Russia will help Iran launch communications satellites, and provide Iran with satellite photos for geological research.

The nations will set up a joint venture to produce Tu-204 and Tu-334 passenger aircraft in Iran, and establish a joint investment bank.

The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment on the resolution, but expressed concern about statements by a top Russian defense official Thursday that Moscow plans to sell more conventional weapons to Iran.

The sales are not new, a U.S. Embassy official said Friday on condition of anonymity, but added, "We do continue to have concern about weapons supplies to Iran because it could lead to imbalance in the region, and we continue to have concern about weapons falling into the hands of terrorists."

Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said, "Russia has to avoid letting its desire for commercial gain end up hastening the day that (Iran, Iraq and North Korea) can pose a threat that could not only destabilize their own region, but undermine the security of the entire world."

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