Not for weapons: Russia, Iran scoff at nuclear frets

Published time: 25 Aug, 2006 06:58Edited time: 25 Aug, 2006 10:58

Russian and Iranian officials rebuffed concerns that equipment at a Russian nuclear power plant and similar hardware in Iran could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

They scoffed at the idea when a delegation led by the vice president of Iran’s nuclear energy agency Mahmoud Dzhanatian toured Russia’s Kalinin nuclear power plant. By the end of next year, Iran is expected to commission a Russian-built nuclear power station at Bushehr. Iran has suggested that certain equipment for the plant could be produced on Iranian soil in a bid to speed the station’s construction.