Iran's First Nuclear Plant Has "Gone Operational"

Iran has defied safety warnings and now faces global condemnation after confirming that the country has launched its first nuclear power plant. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi confirmed yesterday that the Middle Eastern country's only nuclear plant had become operational.

The United States, United Kingdom and other Western countries have long feared the controversial plant could be used to develop nuclear weapons. In recent years, Iran has refused to reveal its plans.

Concerns are now raised internationally as Iran refused to join safety programs and instead decided to go ahead with the launch of the Bushehr nuclear plant.

Work on the Bushehr plant got started in 1975 by several German companies, however, it was halted when the U.S. imposed an embargo on hi-tech supplies to Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Later, Russia signed a contract with Iran to complete the construction in 1998. Work on the building was postponed several times amid pressures from the U.S. and technical and financial challenges.

According to Iran FM, Salehi said:

'As we have previously announced, Bushehr power plant has reached the criticality stage (and) it has been successfully launched.'

The criticality stage (fission process) allows the atoms to split by themselves in a chain reaction without interference from operators. This process is expected to last about two months, and during this time the plant will generate about 40 percent of its power capacity.

Salehi added:

We assure the (Iranian) nation that safety has the final say in Bushehr power plant.'

Salehi added that modern technologies were used in constructing the plant, which ensures that it is "amongst one of the safest in the world."

Salehi noted:

'We assure the (Iranian) nation that safety has the final say in Bushehr power plant.'

The rest of the world, however, is not so confident in its safety. Just a few weeks ago, engineers had to remove 163 fuel rods after damage was discovered at one of the reactor's main cooling pumps. The international community is very concerned.

Glyn Davis, chief US envoy to IAEA, said:

'Iran's decision to start up Bushehr without joining the Convention on Nuclear Safety is troubling. Especially in light of the Fukushima accident, we believe it's of paramount importance that (IAEA) member states avail themselves of every opportunity to improve the safety of their nuclear facilities.'