Iran: Russian nuclear plant payments made

TEHRAN, March 8 (UPI) -- Iran says it made payments as scheduled to the Russian contractor building its nuclear plant though work at the reactor is still slowed by the dispute.

While officials with Iran's nuclear agency are in Moscow meeting with officials at Atomstroyexport, the state-run nuclear export firm, a top Iranian official defended Tehran's payments.

"There are no financial problems, Russia has suggested that we make payments ahead of the timeframes stipulated in the contract," Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said. "Talks are being held with the Russians on the issue at the moment."

Atomstroyexport is building the nuclear reactor at Bushehr, Iran, as part of a 1995, $1 billion contract. While the plant is not suspected of being for any purpose other than electricity generation, it is part of an Iranian nuclear program that has been tasked with U.N. sanctions over suspected weapons intensions.

Russia is to deliver fuel to Bushehr this month and the plant is to come online later this year, though the dispute over payments could slow that timeline, RIA Novosti reports.

The discussions in Moscow Wednesday ended after six hours with no results.

"Active talks are being held at the moment," said an Atomstroyexport official. "The Russian side is studying the Iranian partners' proposals to overcome the crisis in the construction of the Bushehr (nuclear power plant)."