Russian fuel passes U.N. inspection

MOSCOW, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Nuclear fuel produced by Russia for Iran has passed inspection by the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.

The fuel is to be shipped to the Bushehr plant currently under construction in southern Iran, the Novosti news agency reported.

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency visited the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant.

"Inspection of fuel rod arrays confirmed the enrichment of uranium-235 to lower than 5 percent, and there have been no complaints about the quality of nuclear fuel and its storage conditions by IAEA inspectors," said Konstantin Grabelnikov, the plant's deputy general director.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently promised Iran the Bushehr plant will be finished. Russia blames construction delays on payment problems, while Iran has accused Russia of giving in to western pressure.