Iran: Sole nuke reactor reaches full capacity

An October 2010 file photo of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. / MAJID ASGARIPOUR/AFP/Getty Images

(AP) TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's sole operational nuclear power reactor has reached full capacity, a senior official said Saturday.

Iran's deputy nuclear chief, Mohammad Ahmadian, said the reactor at the Bushehr power plant was brought to its "full capacity of 1,000 megawatts" Friday evening. The reactor went into operation for the first time last year at minimum capacity.

The Islamic Republic built the nuclear power plant in the southern Iranian port city with Russian help. The facility is a cornerstone of Iran's drive to become a technological leader among Muslim nations, with efforts such as an ambitious space program and long-range missile development. Iran also runs smaller research reactors and is building another power reactor.

The United States and some of its allies believe the Bushehr plant is part of an Iranian attempt to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the accusation, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The Bushehr project dates back to 1974, when Iran's U.S.-backed Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi contracted with the German company Siemens to build the reactor. The company withdrew from the project after the 1979 Islamic Revolution brought hard-line clerics to power.

In 1992, Iran signed a $1 billion deal with Russia to complete the project and work began in 1995. Since then, the project has been beset by problems linked to construction and supply glitches. Under the contract, Bushehr was originally scheduled to come on stream in July 1999 but it was repeatedly postponed over technical glitches and financial disputes.

The reactor finally went into operation last summer operating with minimum capacity to undergo tests before full operation.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by TimeToStepUp
Today, the Hizballah militia has more than 40,000 missiles aimed at Israel

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Sounds like it might almost be even! Except, of course, that Israel has the nukes we gave them...

[TimeToStepUp]

We did not give them nukes. Check your history. Israel built their nuclear weapons in the Negev Desert in the early 1970's. Had the capability in the '73 war but didn't use it. Their nuclear power did not come from us. Check it out.

[ThomasSense]

With all of the natural gas supplies that Iran has, they had no need for nuclear power. I wouldn't want the Russians building any nuclear power plant for my country. Iran is gambling with the lives of its people. Germany shut down all of their nuclear power plants because of the Japanese disaster.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Nuclear is clean and efficient, and doesn't destroy fossil-fuel reserves which we may need in the future.

[john92021]

I wonder how long it's going to be before the headline is "Sole nuke reactor reaches full meltdown." Hope they learned something from Chernobyl and not live anywhere around it, or down wind. Wouldn't trust the Israelis not messing with the computers.

[TimeToStepUp]

Did everyone forget the Cuban Missile Crisis and the reason for it? Kennedy (a Dem) was no fool! He forced Russia to remove and stop shipping missiles, and America was glad!

Today, the Hizballah militia has more than 40,000 missiles aimed at Israel from neighboring Lebanon. And Ahmadinejad threatens to send 11,000 missiles he already has aimed at Israel. Check CNN.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

7_eleven -

So you don't see the Russians trying to move nukes into the Bay of Pigs as dangerous?

You sound like a coward who would rather have not defended us from intentional threats 90 miles off of our shores.

[TimeToStepUp]

@7luckysevens
Kruschev shipped nuclear missiles into Cuba and set them up aimed at the US, and KENNEDY was trying to start a war? I think NOT!

[ludvig1-2009]

A plant not deep inside Iranian territory, on the coast, too easy to attack. Not likely associated with bomb making, more likely associated with power generation and an excuse to retaliate if Israel were to attack it. Israeli planes would have to travel further than they did when they hit the Iraqi plant at Tuwaitha (I believe), The plant at Tuwaitha had not yet been started up, so would not provide all that much radioactivity to the surroundings. Once started up, like the one in Iran and you'd have a mess and something that would draw universal condemnation, so not likely Israel will attack it.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

I can't wait to see those dying for yet another unfunded war coming on here and wanting us to fight Israel's war FOR them.

Israel has the US under its thumb, and it's just disgusting.