IAEA issues Iran warning as Bushehr opens

12/09/11 17:33 CET

world news

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As Iran celebrates with ceremony the entry into service of its first, Russian-built nuclear reactor, UN atomic watchdog the IAEA has said it is “increasingly concerned” Iran also has a nuclear weapons programme, and is not co-operating with its inspectors.

Russia’s energy minister praised the joint efforts of the past three years, and said the two countries governments would now decide on future co-operation.

“The nuclear facility of Bushehr, as the first power-producing plant in the Middle East, has joined the grid and the world-wide list of operational plants,” said the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani.

The official inauguration is not until December, and Bushehr will not reach its full 1,000 megawatt capacity until early next year.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for electricity only.

More about: Iran, Nuclear Energy

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