“We should begin to use nuclear energy in manufacturing naval propulsion systems, and should also pay attention to reducing environmental problems in this area,” Dehqan said at a conference in Tehran on Tuesday.
Describing naval capabilities as a major factor in the overall national power, the defense minister stressed the need for efforts to accelerate Iran’s development in the maritime industries and keep pace with others.
In December 2016, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani issued a directive, ordering the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to draw appropriate plans to design and manufacture nuclear propulsion devices as well as the fuel required for them.
The president said the measures were warranted in light of the United States’ foot-dragging in fulfilling its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).