The move marks the start of Rosatom’s phased return to the site after the company evacuated hundreds of employees following the outbreak of war involving the United States, Israel and Iran earlier this year.

Rosatom is overseeing the construction of two additional reactor units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran’s only operational nuclear power facility, under a long-standing cooperation agreement between Moscow and Tehran.

The company withdrew hundreds of Russian personnel after the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting concerns over the safety of foreign workers at the site.

According to RIA, Likhachev said the first six Rosatom employees have now begun returning to Bushehr, signaling the gradual resumption of the company’s work at the project.

Neither Rosatom nor Iranian authorities immediately provided further details on the timetable for the return of additional personnel or the status of construction activities at the plant.

The Bushehr facility has remained under close international scrutiny during the conflict because of its strategic importance and the presence of foreign specialists working on the expansion project.

The reported return of Russian personnel follows earlier indications from Rosatom that it intended to resume operations at Bushehr once security conditions permitted. The company has not said how many employees are expected to return during the initial phase of the deployment.

Russia and Iran have maintained close cooperation on civilian nuclear energy for years, with Rosatom playing a central role in the development and expansion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.