Russia, Iran agree on completion schedule for Bushehr plant

Russia and Iran reached an agreement Thursday on a schedule for finishing construction of the Bushehr nuclear plant, which plays a central role in the international tensions over Iran's nuclear program, Russian news agencies reported. The United States and other critics have long protested construction of the US$1 billion (€680,000) plant, saying it would give Iran cover for developing a nuclear weapons program. Construction at the plant has been sporadically delayed amid disputes between Iran and Russia over payment, fuel delivery and other issues. But Russia has remained opposed to a US-led push for international sanctions against Iran for allegedly seeking to develop nuclear weapons.