Russian-built Iran nuclear plant 'on schedule'

(MOSCOW) - The construction of Iran's first nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr is on schedule and preparatory work should be completed by the end of August, a Russian official said Tuesday.

"Everything is on time. As was planned, by the end of August all work for the first stage of the physical launch should be completed," the head of Russia's nuclear agency Sergei Kiriyenko said according to RIA Novosti.

He said this first stage would involve putting nuclear fuel in the plant's reactor.

The plant, being built by Russia in a much delayed project, does not fall under the UN sanctions agreed by Russia and other world powers to punish Tehran's defiance in the nuclear crisis.