In light of the Russian supply of nuclear fuel for the Bushehr reactor, Iran has stated that the plant would begin operations in the summer of 2008, initially involving half of its 1000MWe generating capacity. Moscow was expected to provide about 82 tons of nuclear fuel in eight shipments1.

In other news, Iran has offered to help Egypt with its civilian nuclear programme. Former Iranian top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani was recently quoted as saying that Tehran was ready to cooperate with Cairo in the area of peaceful nuclear technology. He added that all such cooperation would occur within the framework of international regulations and under the supervision of the IAEA2.

• 1. “Iran nuclear plant to launch in 2008,” CNN, December 30, 2007, at http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/30/iran.nuclear.ap/index.html?ire...
• 2. “Iran offers help to Egypt in N-program,” Press TV, December 31, 2007, at http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=36929&sectionid=351020104