TEHRAN, Feb 17: An Iranian official said on Thursday a key agreement with Russia on the return of spent nuclear fuel would be signed on Feb 26, clearing the way for Moscow to build Iran's first nuclear power plant.

"The agreement under which Russia is to provide Bushehr power plant with the fuel will be signed on February 26," said Asadollah Sabouri, a deputy head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, quoted by state television.

The signing of the agreement which obliges Iran to return spent nuclear fuel to Russia will take place during Russian atomic energy chief Alexander Rumyantsev's visit to Tehran, starting on Feb 25, he said. "Under the agreement, Russia will provide Bushehr power plant's fuel for the next 10 years," he said. -AFP