Soviet Union 1991

The third update

Saddam's fate has sounded the alarm for every country that has had a grudge against the United States, especially countries like Iran and Libya that are bent on developing nuclear technology and attempting to possess nuclear weapons. Iran's environment is better than Libya's. After all, before breaking off diplomatic relations with the United States in 1980, Iran's nuclear energy development technology was supported by Western countries. However, after the severance of diplomatic relations, the United States accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under the cover of "peaceful development of nuclear energy", especially after Iran discovered rich uranium mines in the Yazd region.

Rafsanjani's discovery of uranium mines was not a gift from the real pig, but the guidance of the Soviet Union. After surveying the rich uranium mines, Iran's ambition to vigorously develop nuclear energy has also expanded. They hope that the Soviet Union can help them build a large nuclear power plant to accumulate experience in the peaceful use of nuclear power.

As for how sincere the phrase "peaceful use" is, it is unknown, but if they really intend to give up nuclear technology, there will be no subsequent decade-long sanctions and the difficult six-party talks on the Iranian nuclear issue.

After the Yazd uranium mine was discovered, Iranian President Rafsanjani began to prepare for a visit to Moscow. Although he had previously strongly advocated for peaceful coexistence with the West, after seeing the tragic situation of the US invasion of Iraq and President Mario's disdain for Iran's olive branch, President Rafsanjani began to consider changing his position, at least not as keen as before to resolve the gap between the United States and Iran.

Although it is not an enemy of the United States, Iran is no longer active in putting its face on the cold buttocks, so after the discovery of the Yazd uranium mine, Iran adopted a secret mining method to prevent the disclosure of the true information of the mineral to the outside world, but only announced on a small scale that they had discovered a rare metal mine and were preparing to carry out project mining.

Now that Iran is accumulating experience in nuclear technology, it is natural for it to ask its big brother, the Soviet Union, to help them build a nuclear power plant to develop its own nuclear energy resources. So when Yanayev received the news that Rafsanjani was going to visit Moscow, he was not surprised at all. I believe that now inside Iran, Rafsanjani and Iran's spiritual leader Khamenei have already agreed on everything. Overcoming all difficulties also means building its own nuclear power plant in the country.

Originally, in 1995, Russia planned to help Iran build the first Bushehr nuclear power plant, with a total cost of US$1 billion and a designed installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The contract stipulated that the nuclear power plant should be completed in 1999. However, due to political and economic reasons, the project was delayed again and again.

After helping the British nuclear power plant improve safety measures, the Soviet Union had already established a reputation in nuclear power plant technology, so Rafsanjani was eager to find the Soviet Union to build a nuclear power plant for him, but now there is a problem in front of the Soviet Union, that is, whether to help Iran build this nuclear power plant. If it helps Iran build a nuclear power plant. If it has the confidence and ambition to develop its own nuclear weapons in the future, the Soviet Union will be restless in addition to the United States. But if it refuses, then after the United States sends Saddam to the gallows, the next target will be Rafsanjani or Khamenei.

After thinking it over, Yanaev decided to help Iran build a nuclear power plant, but the Soviet Union would not provide all the technology to Iran. The core technology could only be solved by Soviet nuclear engineers, so the Soviet Union was ready to take on a project worth up to 1 billion without paying the real price.

This was not even a formal state visit. Rafsanjani did not make any stops after arriving in Moscow. Instead, he went straight to the Kremlin. He was eager to meet Yanaev and propose a project for the construction of a nuclear power plant.

"Did I hear it right? President Rafsanjani, Iran wants the Soviet Union to help you build a nuclear power plant?" Yanaev replied in surprise when he heard Rafsanjani's request. In fact, Yanaev, who was as bright as a mirror, had already known the other party's intentions, but he just didn't point it out.

How could a mere 1 billion US dollars of construction satisfy Yanaev's huge appetite?

"Yes, I hope the Soviet government can help us build a nuclear power plant. After all, Iran's electricity resources are relatively scarce, but nuclear energy can make up for this shortcoming very well." Rafsanjani answered seriously. But looking at Yanaev's half-smile, he suddenly felt guilty.

And Yanaev's seemingly casual answer shocked Rafsanjani like a bolt from the blue. "If I'm not mistaken, there have been fewer news and information about mineral excavation in the Yazd area recently. I think you should have dug up the legendary uranium mine, otherwise you wouldn't have suddenly disappeared. Of course, you can also choose to deny it, but don't forget that it's not just you, there are many eyes in the sky watching Iran's every move."

The eyes Yanaev mentioned refer to the US spy satellites. If this news is leaked, let alone the United States. At that time, the detection satellites and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft of the five permanent members of the United Nations will keep a close eye on the Yazd area. An ambitious South Africa has already exhausted them, and then there is an Iran that is not afraid of sanctions or death? Who knows what kind of crazy attack the United States, driven crazy, will launch.

Yanaev's words pierced Rafsanjani's eardrums. He was a little shocked. Why did Yanaev know that the uranium mine had been discovered?

"Chairman Yanayev, we are not deliberately concealing this. You must know that if such a major incident is leaked, it will inevitably attract the covetousness of the Americans. They are dreaming about how to sanction Iran, and the mining of uranium mines is inevitable. It provides an excellent excuse for their sanctions." Rafsanjani was eager to explain to Yanayev that things were not as he imagined and that everything was a misunderstanding.

"The Soviet Union is as cautious as the United States about this matter. Although we originally pointed out the specific location of the uranium mine to you, Iran's actions really make us uneasy." Yanayev He began to fool Rafsanjani. He knew that the other party was eager to use civilian nuclear technology, but Yanayev wanted to make the other party anxious so that he could raise the price and create conditions.

Rafsanjani gritted his teeth and asked straight to the point, "So what conditions does the Soviet Union want before it is willing to provide us with nuclear weapons technology? Please propose a price and plan."

"We have previously calculated that this project will cost 1.7 billion and will not provide core technology. All core technology operations must be completed under the supervision of Soviet engineers. This is our condition."

After Yanayev finished speaking, he added, "And once there are signs of development from civilian nuclear technology to military nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union will withdraw all nuclear physics engineers. This is our additional condition. If Iran is unwilling to accept it, If so, please forgive us for not exporting civilian nuclear technology to you.”

Rafsanjani fell silent. He was thinking about whether the conditions provided by Yanayev were feasible. After a minute, he replied, "We cannot accept the price of 1.7 billion. This is based on Iran's current finances. It’s too difficult and demanding. We hope the Soviet Union can reduce the cost of construction.”

"Reducing construction costs is not unfeasible." Yanayev deliberately made an awkward expression and spread his hands and said, "But reducing costs means we have to save materials. If Iran is not worried about something like Chernobyl happening, If an accident like the Bailey Nuclear Power Plant turns a piece of fertile soil in the territory into a dead place with shocking doses of nuclear radiation, then we are willing to reduce these necessary costs. "

Yanayev used a half-threatening, half-admonition approach to persuade Rafsanjani to accept the design. However, seeing that the other party seemed to be embarrassed about the price, Yanayev proposed other plans.

"You can take our plan back and study it first. If it's suitable, we can also trade in another way." (To be continued.)