Iran in charge of Bushehr safety

As Iran plans to fully fuel its first nuclear power plant in September, an Iranian nuclear official says the country’s nuclear agency is accountable for the safety of the Bushehr plant.

“A tripartite committee comprising of Iran’s nuclear security system, Russia’s nuclear security system and contractor of the project has been set up to monitor safety of the Bushehr plant,” chief of Iran’s nuclear security system Nasser Rastkhah told IRNA on Monday.

He added that the committee is tasked with controlling the security of the power plant form different aspects.

“We will be accountable to our country and nation at the first stage and then to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community about security of the Bushehr plant,” he said.

The official noted that all parts produced in the Bushehr power plant have been inspected three times so far and said comprehensive tests will be conducted within the next 15-21 days.

“We are attempting to observe the highest security standards in the reactor,” Rastkhah said.

Iran on Saturday began loading fuel to its first nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr with the presence of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s inspectors and senior Iranian and Russian officials.

The completion of the plant was originally planned for 1999. However, extensive political and economic pressures by the US, Israel and their allies delayed its construction.

The Bushehr reactor will be fully fueled by September 22. It is expected to produce 500 megawatts of electricity in the initial stage, and its production capacity will increase to 1,000 megawatts in the near future.