Russia Defends Iran Nuclear Plant Ahead Of Launch

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Source: Agence France-Presse

SOCHI, Russia — Russia on Wednesday defended the nuclear power plant it is building for Iran in the southern city of Bushehr, days ahead of a ceremony to mark the formal launch of the facility.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the controversial power plant as an "anchor" that would keep Iran firmly fixed to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"It is a most important anchor which keeps Iran within the regime of non-proliferation," he told reporters on the sidelines of a regional summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"It is fully protected from any proliferation risks whatsoever. This idea is shared by all the leaders of Western countries."

The charging of the first nuclear fuel at the plant Saturday is to be marked at a ceremony in Bushehr, including the head of Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko.

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