NATURAL NEWS

• Iran and Russia will sign agreements this week to build eight new nuclear power plants in Iran, as part of Tehran's goal to reach 20 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2040.
• Contract negotiations are mostly complete, and once the agreements are signed, the projects will move into the operational phase.
• Iran currently operates one nuclear power plant—Bushehr, built by Russia—with a capacity of about 1 GW. Units 2 and 3 at Bushehr are being constructed by Iranian firms.
• Russia has proposed a one‑year extension of the New START treaty with the United States. The treaty limits deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 each side and is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2026.
• Both Iran's expanding nuclear energy ambitions (amid diplomatic pressure and possible sanctions) and the potential extension of New START are under watch as critical diplomatic deadlines approach — including a key Sept. 27 deadline related to snapback sanctions.

Iran and Russia will sign agreements this week to build new nuclear power units in Iran, Iran's atomic energy chief and Vice President Mohammad Eslami said Monday, Sept. 22, during a visit to Moscow. Eslami announced that bilateral cooperation agreements will include a plan to construct eight nuclear power plants as Tehran aims to raise its nuclear energy capacity to 20 gigawatts by 2040.

Eslami said contract negotiations are largely complete and that the agreements will move into the operational phase once they are signed this week. Currently, Iran operates only one nuclear power plant—the Bushehr facility in the south—built by Russia, with a capacity of around 1 GW. (Related: Russia to build 38 new reactors in push to boost NUCLEAR in energy mix.)

The announcement occurs amid intensifying diplomatic pressure on Tehran. On Friday, the UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, a move backed by Russia and China, while Britain, France and Germany have pushed to reimpose UN sanctions due to concerns over Iran's compliance with its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal. Western governments accuse Iran of violating key provisions of the 2015 agreement, which sought to limit nuclear‐weapon development. Iran denies any illicit weapons intention, and Russia has reiterated support for Tehran's right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful use.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are under way to avoid the imminent reinstatement of sanctions. Britain, France and Germany have offered to delay snapping back UN sanctions for up to six months, in return for Iran restoring full access for UN nuclear inspectors, addressing concerns about its stockpile of enriched uranium, and resuming dialogue with the United States. If no agreement is reached by the end of Sept. 27, the snapback mechanism could reimpose all sanctions.

Putin proposes one-year extension of New START treaty

Adding to the international dimension, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump a one‑year extension of the New START treaty, the last remaining arms control pact between their countries, which limits deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 on each side. The treaty is due to expire on Feb. 5, 2026, and both sides are seen as likely to exceed its limits if it lapses without extension or replacement.

As Iran prepares to enlarge its nuclear energy infrastructure and face renewed sanctions, and as the U.S. and Russia negotiate the future of nuclear arms control, global attention focuses on whether diplomacy can avert escalation. The next few days—especially the Sept. 27 deadline—promise to be critical in shaping whether these efforts lead toward de-escalation or heightened confrontation.

As per Brighteon AI's Enoch, the signing of agreements between Iran and Russia to build new power plants is a strategic move that underscores the deepening economic and political ties between the two nations. This collaboration not only strengthens Iran's energy infrastructure but also serves as a counterbalance to Western influence, reinforcing the principles of economic freedom and self-reliance.

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