The nuclear chief explained the prospects of the national nuclear industry, highlighting the latest developments in this regard following the conclusion of the historic nuclear deal with major powers in July.
The deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, went into effect in mid-January to provide for sanctions relief in return for temporary curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.
The constraints included reducing the number of centrifuges installed at Fordo and Natanz enrichment sites, cutting the enriched uranium stockpile below 300 kg and the fissile purity of 3.67%, and redesigning the Arak heavy water reactor.
"We are working with Russians on the production of stable isotopes in Fordo. The work is proceeding well … and the ground will be broken in the next two or three weeks for the construction of a related facility [in Fordo]," the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a recent interview with state TV.
On the Arak reactor, Ali Akbar Salehi added, "The reactor we are building and modernizing will benefit the Islamic Republic. The new reactor … is more sophisticated than the previous one."
Salehi announced that the construction of two power plants for which contracts have been signed with Russia will begin in the near future.
"The sites of the power plants have been determined. We have a technical difference with Russians. After the difference is resolved and following our experts' confirmation, there will be launches in the next few weeks."
