Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami announced on Wednesday that construction of a new research reactor at the Isfahan nuclear site will begin in the coming weeks, reported IRNA.

He made his remarks while visiting the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) at the Isfahan site.

Eslami stressed that Iran was advancing its nuclear program to increase the capacity of domestic power plants.

He added that the country is examining sites, especially in the south, that could serve as favorable locations for new nuclear power plants.

"In this direction, we will use international partnerships and we will not wait for anyone, because Iran has sufficient scientific, industrial and technological capacities," said Eslami.

"Fortunately, there are large companies in the country that can support the 10,000-megawatt nuclear power production program, and we also support any company and institution that participates in the program of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran."

Eslami added that Iran intends to move forward to produce fuel for reactors and part of the fuel needed for power plants at the Isfahan complex.

Iran aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of power and was looking for the appropriate site to build the plants, he added.

The IAEO head dismissed claims that Iran's nuclear program has "non-peaceful goals."

"In all this time and in none of the inspections carried out by the agency, not even in one case has it been announced that Iran has not announced its intention and plan in advance or has concealed it. These cases are documented, and therefore, the expression of this news and contents does not serve any purpose other than to waste time and tire the other party," said Eslami.

Image courtesy: AFP