Presidium Member of Islamic City Council of Tehran: Energy – key focus for Russia–Iran cooperation

Relations between Tehran and Moscow have always had strong historical roots and special significance. This was stated by Jafar Bandi Sharabiani, Member of the Presidium of the Islamic City Council of Tehran, in an exclusive comment to TV BRICS during the visit of the Iranian delegation to the Russian capital.

“Recent agreements, both within the framework of BRICS cooperation and in the bilateral format, demonstrate that today, in the context of the formation of a new world order, Iran and Russia act as two strong, stable, and influential players,” he emphasised.

According to him, over the past two to three decades, the number of areas of interaction has significantly increased, including technology, economy, finance, and urban management. At the same time, the most prioritised field remains energy, added Sharabiani.

“One of the most important examples of such cooperation is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is being equipped by Russian specialists and scientists,” he clarified.

The representative of the Islamic Council of Tehran expressed hope that the facility will be fully commissioned in the near future.

The construction of the Bushehr NPP, the first nuclear power plant in Iran and the Middle East, began in 1975. In 1992, Russia and Iran signed an agreement to continue the works. In 2011, a ceremony was held to launch the first power unit, and at present, the Russian state corporation Rosatom continues the construction of the second and third power units.

In September 2025, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation on the construction of small-scale nuclear power plants in the republic, according to a statement from the Rosatom press service. Later, in October, the Head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, expressed hope that a corresponding contract between the two states would be signed soon. According to him, the Iranian side has already identified the site. This was reported by IRNA, a partner of TV BRICS.

Photo: TV BRICS