Russia to Build up to 8 Nuclear Reactors in Iran

Aiming at strengthening ties between the two nations, Russia has agreed to build up to eight nuclear reactors in Iran.

The news comes just 12 days before the deadline for reaching a deal by the six world powers and Iran on its nuclear activity.

Russia signed a contract Tuesday to build two more nuclear reactors in Iran, which is likely to be followed with another six, Al Jazeera reports.

The nuclear officials of Iran and Russia signed the deal for building two reactors at Iran's first Russia-built nuclear plant in Bushehr.

According to the Associated Press, The Guardian reports, head of Russia's Rosatom state corporation Sergei Kiriyenko and Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi also signed a protocol envisaging possible construction of two more reactors in the same location, Bushehr, and four others in an undisclosed area.

Russia will be supplying nuclear fuel for the reactors and retrieve it after use, according to Rosatom.

"It's a turning point in the development of relations between our countries," Salehi said after the signing, according to Russian news reports.

The six world powers - the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China - have been trying to negotiate with Iran with regard to its nuclear aspirations. They have asked Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment to a level below what is required to make a weapon in exchange for lifting of sanctions, BBC reports.

Leaders of the six major countries will meet for a final, and hopefully last round of talks on the issue next week. However, it is not clear as yet what effect will Russia's deal have on the negotiations.