Need to Tap Nuclear Tech to Boost Navy

Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan called for plans to boost the naval industry by taking advantage of nuclear technology. “We should begin to use nuclear energy in manufacturing naval propulsion systems and should also pay attention to reducing environmental problems in this area,” Dehqan told a conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Tasnim News Agency reported. Describing naval capabilities as a major factor in national power, the defense chief stressed the need for efforts to accelerate Iran’s development in maritime industries and keep pace with other countries. In December 2016, President Hassan Rouhani issued a directive, ordering the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to devise plans to design and manufacture nuclear propulsion devices as well as the fuel required for them. Rouhani said the measures were warranted in light of the US foot-dragging in fulfilling its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers, which was implemented in January 2016 to ease sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program.