Russia set to ship nuclear fuel to Iran

TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Inspectors for the United Nation's nuclear watchdog agency visit Russia later this month in preparation for shipping nuclear fuel to Iran.

The inspectors must check and seal all fuel containers before they can be sent to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, RIA Novosti reported Friday.

During a visit to Iran in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured the Islamic Republic that Russia would complete construction of Iran's first nuclear power plant on time.

Iran has blamed Western pressure for delays in the $1 billion project but Moscow says the problem has been late payment.

The announcement of inspection plans comes one day after the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency delivered a report criticizing Iran for not being forthcoming with information about its nuclear program.

Iran has refused to halt enrichment of uranium which it says is needed to generate electricity.

The U.S. and its allies charge Iran instead is intent on building nuclear weapons.