Iran, Russia reach preliminary agreement for two nuclear power units

TEHRAN, March 12 (UPI) -- Iran said Wednesday it has negotiated a preliminary deal for Russia's Rosatom nuclear power company to provide it with two more nuclear power generating units.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said the agreement calls for the pair of 1,000-megawatt reactors to be built near the first unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The project will include water desalination units, Kamalvandi said.

A final agreement to start work on the project is expected to be signed by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Iranian nuclear agency, and Rosatom Chief Executive Officer Sergei Kirienko, the spokesman said.

ITAR-Tass reported Kamalvandi said Moscow and Tehran are expected to discuss technical and economic conditions in the near future.

"Such cooperation can develop on [a] mutually advantageous basis and in compliance with Russia's international obligations," Rosatom said.

"The talks have been held in a constructive atmosphere. However, no documents have been ... signed."

Salehi had said in December Iran plans to build four new nuclear power plants to meet the country's energy requirements.