Putin takes extra steps for Russian safety at Iran's Bushehr plant

The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation disclosed Friday that President Vladimir Putin has ordered enhanced security protocols for Russian citizens working at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran. Alexey Likhachev made the announcement during a joint Moscow press conference with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, following extensive discussions on the Middle East situation with particular focus on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Ensuring Personnel Security

Likhachev revealed that Putin maintains close personal involvement in monitoring the situation at Bushehr, with regular briefings on both safety conditions and evacuation procedures at the site. "I can say that the president has taken several steps to further ensure the safety of both our comrades at the station and our convoys, which were aimed at evacuating people from the site," the Rosatom chief stated without providing operational specifics. The measures reflect Moscow's concern for its citizens amid widening regional conflict that has drawn in multiple nations since late February.

Recent evacuation operations have reduced the Russian presence at Bushehr, with approximately 150 specialists removed from the facility during the night of March 10-11. Likhachev previously confirmed that roughly 450 Russian personnel currently remain at the plant, maintaining critical operations despite heightened security risks in the region.

No Nuclear Weapons Evidence

Addressing longstanding international concerns about Iran's nuclear program, Likhachev firmly stated that Rosatom has never possessed nor currently holds any information suggesting Iranian development of nuclear weapons. "So far, I understand that other than political statements, no other evidence has been provided," he remarked, casting doubt on allegations that have fueled tensions between Tehran and Western powers. His comments come amid renewed focus on Iran's nuclear activities following recent US-Israeli military actions against Iranian targets.

The Moscow consultations between Likhachev and Grossi also covered the precarious situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, reflecting the IAEA's ongoing concerns about nuclear safety in active conflict zones. The discussions underscore the intersecting challenges facing international nuclear oversight bodies as they navigate multiple crises spanning from Eastern Europe to the Middle East.