Iran to add own Nuclear Powered Submarine

Iran develops its own nuclear-powered submarines, according to a report of state-run FARS news agency. The Iranian Navy fleet’s deputy commander Vice-Admiral Abbas Zamini announced the project on Tuesday.

Tehran / NationalTurk – Abbas Zamini mentioned the Islamic Republic of Iran is already taking the initial steps toward creating nuclear-powered boats. Iran’s advancing capabilities in domestic nuclear submarine development and use of atomic energy for submarine propulsion are not in contravention of any international agreements, the Iranian commander added.

‘ Right now we are at the first stages of creating nuclear submarines,’ Zamini stated.

The endless debate of Iran nuclear program and weapons

Western powers, led by the United States of America and many European states suspect Islamic Republic of Iran of covering its nuclear weapons development program with a domestic civil nuclear program. Tehran administration denies the charges insisting the nuclear program is only for generating electricity and peaceful purposes.

In mid-February, the USA increased the level of sanctions it has in place against Iran, which is already under a range of sanctions following four UN Security Council resolutions regarding its nuclear program.

The Iranian Navy has currently three Russian-built Project 877 (Kilo class) diesel-electric submarines at ist disposal and a few very small u-boats produced in Iran.

Currently, only the navies of France, India, Russia, China the United Kingdom and United States own nuclear-powered submarines. Israel possesses conventionally-powered submarines which can be armed with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles according to German militarial officials.