Moscow, Nov 19: Russia and Iran have again put off the signing of an agreement that would clear the way for Moscow to complete construction of the Islamic state's first nuclear power reactor, a top minister said today. Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said that The iranian side had been "too busy" with preparing documents for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its nuclear programme to work on the agreement for the Bushehr power reactor.
Russia has said it would not deliver any fuel for the Bushehr reactor until Tehran signs the agreement, under which it would agree to return all of the reactor's spent fuel back to Russia.
"Fuel will not be needed at Bushehr for a while, deliveries will not begin until next year, so we have at least three months to prepare to sign the agreement," Rumyantsev told the Itar-Tass news agency.
Russia has been building the Bushehr reactor over strong objections from the United States and Israel who fear that Tehran could use it as a front for a nuclear weapons programme.
Rumyantsev's comments came a day before IAEA, the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog, is due to meet to discuss Iran's nuclear programme, amid us allegations that the clerical regime's bid to generate atomic energy is merely a cover for nuclear weapons development.
Today, Iran's top national security official said Tehran would refuse any further IAEA demands to halt its uranium enrichment activities.
Bureau Report