Russia, Iran cooperate on nuclear plant

BUSHEHR, Iran, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Russia and Iran are holding discussions regarding a possible joint venture to operate the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran.

Sergei Kiriyenko, chief of the Russian atomic energy agency Rosatom, said the idea was brought up during his visit to the construction site Wednesday, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reports.

An agreement between Russia and Iran also could include a 10-year nuclear fuel supply contract.

No date has been released for when the 1,000-megawatt plant will be operational. Iran has argued the purpose of the plant is entirely civilian energy.