MOSCOW, Dec 13: Russia and Iran have reached an agreement on a schedule for completing construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which plays a central role in the international tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, an official with the plant’s contractor said on Thursday.

The director of Russian contractor Atomstroiexport, Sergei Shmatko, said details of the timetable would be released later this month, according to Russian news agencies.

The United States and other critics have long protested construction of the $1bn plant, saying it would give Iran cover for developing a nuclear weapons programme.

Construction at the plant has been sporadically delayed amid disputes between Iran and Russia over payment, fuel delivery and other issues. But Russia has remained opposed to a US-led push for international sanctions against Iran for allegedly seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

“The difficulties with our Iranian customers have been settled,” a Atomstroiexport spokeswoman said. She said the Russian and Iranian sides “now share a common view of the timetable for construction of the plant, including the delivery of fuel”.

Officials did not give details of the completion plans, but there has been speculation that the fuel would be delivered to Iran about six months before the plant launches operations, as has previously been stated.

Although Russia has resisted drives to impose sanctions on Iran, it also repeatedly has urged Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve concerns over the nuclear programme.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underlined that position later on Thursday after a meeting in Moscow with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

Lavrov said resolving the controversy is possible “solely on the basis of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, IAEA rules and principles and, certainly, with Iran proving its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” according to the Interfax news agency.—AP