Energy

Iraq finalises nuclear cooperation deal with Russia

May 28, 2025, 5:36 PM

A nuclear power plant. Marking a major step since 2003, Iraq moves to finalise a deal with Russia for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, backed by IAEA support — A nuclear power plant. Marking a major step since 2003, Iraq has moved to finalise a deal with Russia for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, backed by IAEA support

Baghdad seeks reactors
Electricity generation goal
Iraqi cabinet approves deal

Iraq has given its top nuclear official the green light to finalise an agreement with Russia for the possible establishment of nuclear reactors for power generation and other uses.

The cabinet, which met in the capital Baghdad on Tuesday, asked the head of Iraq’s atomic energy commission to sign the deal with Moscow.

Iraqi local press, citing a statement by the prime minister’s office, said the deal would be finalised within a cooperation memorandum of understanding signed in Moscow last year.

The cabinet asked the Foreign Ministry to prepare the necessary documents on the planned agreement to be signed by Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani.

In September 2024, Baghdad and Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of nuclear energy following official statements that Baghdad is planning to build small reactors to generate electricity within plans to expand the use of renewable energy.

The deal was signed by Naeem Al-Aboudi, head of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission and minister of higher education and scientific research and Alexey Likhachev, director general of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corp.

“This MoU marks a major milestone for Iraq as it is the first agreement of its kind in the field of peaceful nuclear energy signed by Iraq since 2003,” Al-Aboudi said at the time.

International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Mariano Grossi discussed Iraq’s nuclear plans when he visited Baghdad in early 2024.

Grossi told Iraqi officials that the IAEA has committed to support the foundations of what should be an entirely peaceful programme in Iraq, the official news agency said.

“We are living in a world where there is an intense growing interest in nuclear technology. This time we are going to get it right, in strict adherence to the non-proliferation norms and international conventions, which are indispensable.”