Iran Developing Nuclear Subs

Iran has begun initial development of its own nuclear-powered submarines

FARS news agency informs RiaNovosi the Iranian fleet's deputy commander Vice-Admiral Abbas Zamini said the Islamic Republic is already taking the first steps toward creating nuclear-powered boats.

"Right now we are at the initial stages of creating nuclear submarines," he said.

Use of atomic energy for submarine propulsion is not in contravention of any international agreements, he noted.

The United States and many European states suspect Iran of using its domestic civil nuclear program as a cover for a nuclear weapons development program, a charge Tehran denies, insisting the program is only for generating electricity.

The Iranian Navy currently operates three Russian-built Project 877 (Kilo class) diesel-electric submarines and a few very small domestically-made boats.

Currently, only the navies of China, France, India, Russia, the United Kingdom and United States operate nuclear-powered submarines.