Iran is preparing for the delivery of its first nuclear reactor, a Russian model, in a deal that has made the US and Israel nervous.
According to the Middle East Newsline (MENL), the nuclear reactor has been placed on a freighter for delivery to Iran. The reactor, which was completed in the Izhora factory, left St. Petersburg on Friday for Iran's nuclear plant at Bushehr, said the agency.
Viktor Koslov, an official of the official Atomstroiexport nuclear construction company was quoted by MENL as saying that "the light-water reactor of the WWER type, built at St. Petersburg's Ishora plant over a course of three years, will be assembled [after arrival in Iran]."
Russian officials said the body of the cylindrical reactor, which weighs 317 tons, would arrive in Bushehr in about a month. The reactor is scheduled for completion by the end of 2003.
The Biblis-model reactors have a peak work force of roughly 500 people onsite with an engineering office with less than 40 personnel.
In January 1995, Russia and Iran signed an estimated $800 million contract for the construction of one light water reactor at Bushehr. The reactor is supposed to be similar in configuration to Unit Four of the Russian Balakovskaya plant at Balakovo, Saratov.
The reactor deal, as well as large Russian arms deals with the Iranians, has raised anxiety in Tel Aviv and Washington.
Israel, despite maintaining what experts describe as a large stockpile of nuclear weapons, has long feared the arrival of a regional foe with a comparable arsenal.
Israel carried out an airstrike in the 1980s that demolished a nuclear project by Iraq.
Iran, however, maintains that the reactor will be used for peaceful purposes only.
Arab states have repeatedly offered to put aside the possibility of obtaining weapons of mass destruction if Israel eliminates its own hefty arsenal – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
