Iran and Russia signed a $25 billion deal on September 26, 2025, to construct four nuclear power plants in Sirik, Hormozgan, according to Iranian state media. The agreement between Iran’s Hormoz company and Russia’s Rosatom comes hours before potential UN snapback sanctions on Iran.
Each of the four plants will have a 1,255-megawatt capacity, per IRNA. No timeline was specified. Iran’s sole operational nuclear plant, located in Bushehr and built with Russian assistance in 1993, produces 1,000 megawatts, which is far below the country’s energy needs.
The deal follows Britain, France, and Germany triggering snapback sanctions last month, citing Iran’s failure to comply with the 2015 nuclear accord. These sanctions, set to resume by September 27, 2025, prompted China and Russia to propose a six-month extension for talks, though it’s unlikely to pass the UN Security Council.
Tehran and Moscow sign multi-billion dollar deal to build nuclear power plants in Iran
➡️ https://t.co/yrrPdEX8ks pic.twitter.com/u3F4U2cvJg
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) September 26, 2025Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its program is civilian. The US withdrew from the 2015 deal in 2018, leading Iran to scale back commitments. Talks for a new deal stalled after Israeli strikes sparked a 12-day war in June 2025, briefly involving the US.
Read: Iran Permits Limited IAEA Inspections at Bushehr Under New Framework
The $25 billion deal boosts Iran’s energy capacity amid pressure from sanctions. With 80% of Iran’s energy from fossil fuels (IEA, 2024), nuclear expansion is critical. The agreement strengthens Iran-Russia ties, countering Western efforts to isolate Iran.
Iran and Russia’s $25 billion nuclear deal marks a bold move as sanctions loom. The four new plants could reshape Iran’s energy future.
