MOSCOW, March 3 (Reuters) - The Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran is under threat as a result of the escalating conflict, the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Tuesday,
Russia halts construction work at Bushehr nuclear plant due to strikes on Iran
Impact of U.S.-Israeli Air Assault on Bushehr Nuclear Plant Operations
Rosatom's Response to Ongoing Strikes
MOSCOW, March 3 (Reuters) - Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has halted construction work at new units of Iran's nuclear power plant in the port city of Bushehr because of the U.S.-Israeli air assault on Iran, its chief Alexei Likhachev said on Tuesday.
Threats Near Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Likhachev had earlier warned of the threat posed by strikes near Iranian nuclear facilities, and said explosions could be heard "just kilometres away" from the plant, although the facility itself was not being targeted.
Suspension of Construction Activities
Work has been stopped at the construction sites of the second and third units of the plant, he told journalists.
Uncertainty and Prioritization Amid Military Operations
Future Course of Events
"It is difficult to predict the further course of events, given the ongoing military operations against Iran, but our people will remain there in any case, and this facility will be among our priorities," he said.
Communication Challenges
Likhachev said there was no telephone or electronic communication with the leadership of the Iranian nuclear industry, but contact with colleagues at the construction site remained.
Evacuation and Safety Measures for Russian Personnel
Russian Staff Presence in Iran
Some 639 Russian personnel remain in Iran, and some who were already in the capital Tehran are leaving, Likhachev said.
Evacuation Efforts
Initial Evacuations
Nearly 100 workers and their families were evacuated on Saturday, when U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began, and Likhachev said evacuations of staff would continue during breaks in air strikes.
(Reporting by Anastasia Lyrchikova, Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Kevin liffey)
