Bushehr Power Plant faces no technical problem: Iran’s FM spokesman

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Bushehr nuclear power plant faces no technical glitch.

“Technical tests have been conducted at Bushehr power plant because it is to be handed over to Iranian experts. That is why measures aimed at upgrading its safety are under way,” Ramin Mehmanparast told a weekly news conference on Tuesday.

“We have no problem with the Bushehr atomic power plant and all actions [taken there] are under way for Iranian experts to acquire knowledge of technical aspects [of the facility],” he added.

Mehmanparast stated that the power plant’s activities are going on as planned.

Iran signed a deal with Russia in 1995, according to which the plant was originally scheduled for completion in 1999. However, the project was repeatedly delayed by the Russian side due to intense pressure exerted on Moscow by the United States and its Western allies.

In September 2011, the Bushehr nuclear power plant officially began its operations, generating electricity at 40 percent of its capacity.

The 1000-megawatt plant, which is operating under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reached its maximum power generation capacity for the first time on August 30, 2012.

Iran and Russia have assured the international community that the plant is fully compliant with high-level safety standards and IAEA safeguards.