Russia has signed protocol to the intergovernmental agreement for the preparation of a nuclear power plant and another interagency memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran for increased cooperation regarding peaceful use of atomic energy.

According to the deal, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom will construct four power units with VVER reactors on turn-key terms on the site of Bushehr Phase II nuclear power plant. Another four units will also be built by the firm at an yet-to-be determined site in Iran.

The nuclear projects will meet the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and follow the nuclear nonproliferation regime, Rosatom informed.

Under the protocol, nuclear fuel for the power units will be supplied by the corporation throughout their entire lifecycle. Spent nuclear fuel will, however, be returned to Russia for ‘reprocessing and storage’.

Rosatom will also be responsible for training Iran’s specialists for operation, servicing and corresponding engineering support of the power units, as well as guiding them about nuclear and radiation safety regulations.

The agreement follows the recent announcement by the US Government that Iran will not turn into a nuclear-armed state.

Both the governments have approvals for peaceful nuclear negotiations from the West, reports CNN.