Representatives of Russian company building first Iranian nuclear plant in Bushehr say its activation is close at hand; US previously assented to establishment, provided Iran returns spent nuclear fuel to Russia to prevent weapons production
The Russian state-run company building Iran's
first nuclear plant said Monday that preparations for the reactor's launch had entered their final stage.
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Atomstroiexport chief Leonid Reznikov said that by year's end the company will take steps that will make the launch of the Bushehr plant "irreversible." Company spokeswoman Irina Yesipova said the launch date will be determined after talks between Russian and Iranian nuclear officials this month.
Iranian officials have said that Bushehr would be launched this fall. The International Atomic Energy Agency declined comment.
Iran is paying Russia more than $1 billion to build the 1,000-megawatt light-water reactor. Construction has been held up by disputes between Tehran and Moscow, publicly described as centering on questions of payment and the schedule for shipping nuclear fuel.
The United States and other Western nations that fear Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons have criticized Russia for building Bushehr. Washington softened its position after Iran agreed to return spent nuclear fuel to Russia to ensure it does not extract materials that could be used to make weapons.
The United States and its Western allies also agreed to drop any reference to Bushehr in sanctions resolutions passed by the UN Security Council. Russia says the plant's contract is in line with all international agreements aimed at preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.
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