Russia has defended its move to start the reactor this year by arguing that the scheme cannot possibly help Iran in any military nuclear programme it may or may not have.
Russia has also objected to US and European Union sanctions against oil and gas projects in Iran.
Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation has been working at the 1000 megawatt reactor’s Bushehr site since the mid-1990s, but completion has been delayed for at least five years for political and other reasons.
Experts
