Russia said Monday it has begun fuel deliveries to an atomic power station in Iran, which is at the center of international concerns that Tehran’s may be developing nuclear weapons.
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Russia says its fuel can only be used at and for the Bushehr plant.

Atomstroiexport, Russia’s nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly, completed the first stage of deliveries Sunday, Russian nuclear officials said.

The Russian monopoly is building the $1-billion Bushehr plant under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Russian foreign ministry and nuclear officials said the fuel delivery was under full IAEA safeguards.

Construction on the Russian-designed nuclear plant has continued despite pressure from the United States.

Iran denies its nuclear program is intended for anything but peaceful purposes.

A statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official Web site Monday said the Iranian side has provided additional written guarantees that the fuel can only be used at and for the Bushehr plant, and that the spent fuel will be returned to Russia for utilization and storage.

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