Russia promises Iran nuclear fuel for power station

Concerning deliveries of uranium rods for the nuclear power station in Bushehr, currently under construction, Kiriyenko said radioactive materials have not yet left Russia. Kiriyenko also recalled that Russia and Iran have an intergovernmental agreement which provides for the spent fuel to be returned.

"We have envisaged that deliveries of nuclear fuel must be ensured by the time the station is physically put on stream. This is how it will actually take place. According to the norms in force, the fuel ought to reach the station approximately six months before the station is physically put on stream, so it will be there six months earlier," said Kiriyenko. "There is no need for it to be there any earlier."