Russian official due in Tehran for nuclear energy talks

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov arrives here on Wednesday for talks with Iranian officials on the construction of nuclear plants in Iran, local media reported.

"Mr. Ryabkov will exchange views with his counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, during the visit," Russian ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, was quoted as saying by Tehran Times in its Tuesday editions.

Last week, a spokesman of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said that President Hassn Rouhani had approved the funding of two nuclear power plants planned to be built by Russia.

"In the coming weeks, we will try to hold the final talks (with the Russians), and soon after we will announce a date for starting the construction of the power plants," said the spokesman, Behrooz Kamalvandi.

Also on the agenda during Ryabkov's Tehran trip could be the signing of a deal under which Moscow will purchase heavy water from Iran.

"The talks to sell heavy water to Russia are almost in their final stages," Kamalvandi was quoted as saying.

Iran's first nuclear power plant, the Bushehr plant, was first constructed in 1975 by several German companies. However, work was halted when the United States imposed an embargo on hi-tech supplies to Iran after the 1979 revolution.

Russia signed a contract with Iran in 1998 to complete the construction.

Source : XINHUA