Russian Officials Say Situation At Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Is "Normal"

JAKARTA - Russian Nuclear Energy Chief Alexei Likhachev said on Friday that the situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, is "normal" and under control.

The Israeli military said Thursday it had attacked Russia's Bushehr facility, but later said the comments were made by a mistake.

Likhachev, head of the state's nuclear energy company Rosatom, said on Thursday any attack on the nuclear power plant could lead to nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl.

Bushehr is the only PLTN operating in Iran, using Russian fuel which Russia then takes back when it runs out to reduce proliferation risks.

When asked on Friday about the situation in Bushehr, Likhachev told reporters: "So far the situation is completely under control, everything is normal. The night passes in an ordinary, anxious, but manageable atmosphere," reported Ruters on June 20.

"We continue to work in pre-mobilization mode and really hope all our signals from yesterday to the Israeli leader," he added.

The "pre-mobilization" comment appears to refer to the possibility of evacuating staff in the event of an emergency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week Russia had up to 600 staff in Bushehr, including 250 permanent and others temporarily assigned. He said Israel had promised Russia for their safety.

Yesterday, Likhachev said some of those assigned had been evacuated, but core staff remained for now.

Russia, which has close ties to Iran, has strongly warned against US military intervention on the part of Israel in the air war that began a week ago.

Israel previously declared their attack on Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran denies the allegations, responding with drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities.