TEHRAN- The head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announces the commencement of concrete pouring for the country's fourth research reactor, located in the city of Isfahan.

AEOI head Mohammad Eslami hailed Isfahan as "one of the pillars of Iran's nuclear industry" while celebrating the achievement. 

He described the start of construction as "an extraordinary value chain.”

Eslami further emphasized the project's importance by highlighting its connection to critical medical applications. 

He said that the reactor's main function will be to produce tellurium hexafluoride, a key material for generating iodine-131, a radiopharmaceutical used for diagnosing and treating thyroid conditions. 

This achievement, according to Eslami, underscores Iran's capability to produce various crucial materials for both industry and medicine, thanks to intensive research and development efforts.

"Currently operating in a semi-industrial pilot phase, the production line for tellurium hexafluoride already meets the national demand," Eslami stated.

However, the most notable aspect of the Isfahan project is its self-sufficiency. Underlining a significant milestone in Iran's nuclear program, Eslami proudly declared this first-of-its-kind 10-megawatt research reactor to be "designed and built 100% domestically."

He elaborated on the construction process, stating that the initial phase involving detailed studies and equipment design began in 2023. The ongoing concreting ceremony marks the second crucial step, and according to Eslami, the project remains on schedule.

Iran has begun to build a new nuclear power plant in the southern coastal province of Hormozgan with an investment of $15 billion, according to Eslami. 

During a Thursday visit to the Hormozgan province, Mohammad Eslami, at the behest of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, announced the commencement of construction of the new nuclear plant in Hormozgan. 

The president launched the project via video call. He emphasized the significance of the power plant as a vital infrastructure for the country's economy and development, praising the efforts of skilled Iranian experts and expressing hope that the project would bring prosperity to the Iranian people.

Eslami highlighted that the project called “Iran-Hormoz”, is part of the country’s national plans to develop its nuclear industry over the next two decades. 

The Iran-Hormoz Plant is designed to have an electricity generation capacity of 5,000 MW and will consist of four 1,250-MW units, aligning with the implementation of the Makran coast development plan.

“By the year 2041, we should reach the generation capacity of 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity in the country, and the realization of this goal has been taken into consideration in the Makran coast of Hormozgan Province,” Iran’s nuclear chief said.

“It is hoped that it will be completed as planned and coordinated, and based on scheduled timing.”