Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant no threat, Russia says

Strict controls on the operation of Iran's new Bushehr nuclear plant would ensure no fuel was siphoned off for other uses, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday.
  
Russian-supported construction of the Bushehr nuclear plant was close to completion, and the physical launch of the plant was planned for Saturday with fuel being loaded into the tank, it said in a statement, Xinhua reported.
  
"The Bushehr project is unique in terms of providing a strict abidance of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Fuel for the plant will be supplied by Russia on condition of its return," the statement said.
  
All the plant's operation, including fuel supply and return, would be under full control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it said.
  
"The Bushehr project has been a visible example of how Iran could benefit from cooperation with the international community if it would undertake the practical steps to prove its nuclear program is fully peaceful," the statement said.
  
Construction of the plant started in 1975 by several German companies. However, work halted when the United States imposed an embargo on hi-tech supplies to Iran after the 1979 revolution. Russia signed a contract with Iran to complete the construction in 1998.
  
Western powers suspect Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons despite Tehran's claims its nuclear program is intended only for generation of civilian energy.