The Russian state-run company building Iran's first nuclear plant, Atomstroiexport Company, stated on September 1 that preparations for the reactor's launch had entered their final stage. The company spokeswoman however noted that the launch date would be determined after talks between Russian and Iranian nuclear officials later in the month.

Analysts like David Albright of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security suggested that the steps referred to by Russia probably involved the loading of fuel into the reactor. Iran was paying Russia more than $1 billion to build the 1,000-megawatt light-water reactor, construction of which had been held up earlier by disputes between Tehran and Moscow1.

• 1. “Russia: Preparation for launch of Iran nuclear plant in final stage,” September 8, 2008, at http://asianenergy.blogspot.com/2008/09/russia-preparation-for-launch-of...