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Russia delays reactor at Iranian nuclear power plant
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-16 20:30

MOSCOW: Russia said on Monday it would not start the reactor at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant by the end of this year, news agencies reported on Monday.

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"We expect major results by the end of the year, but there will be no startup," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said, citing technical reasons.

Shmatko, however, said "Russia is committed to its obligations to Iran."

According to previous plans announced by officials, the atomic power station in southern Iran was expected to be launched in 2009.

Russia, which has frequently postponed the launch of Bushehr, completed nuclear fuel deliveries to the plant in January 2009, a process usually conducted six months before switching on the reactor.

Iran is at the center of an international dispute over its nuclear ambitions. Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at generating nuclear energy for civilian purposes.