[Iran Says Bushehr Delay Justifies Enrichment] - [Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2009]

Gholam Reza Aqazadeh, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, made the remark today in Bushehr, in southern Iran.

Russia, which is helping build the Bushehr nuclear power plant, did not supply the fuel as planned in March because of what it said were Iran's payment delays.

ANALYSIS: Did Russia Backtrack On Bushehr?

Moscow acknowledged at the end of March that Tehran had re-launched its payments.

Sergei Kiriyenko, the head of Russia's federal Atomic Energy Agency, Rosatom, said today he hoped Teheran would now make timely payments.

The West believes Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its nuclear program is solely aimed at generating energy.

(Reuters, AFP)

Iran Says Bushehr Delay Justifies Enrichment

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (right) visiting Bushehr last year (Fars)April 3, 2007 -- Iran says that a continued Russian refusal to deliver atomic fuel to its first nuclear power station would justify Tehran's uranium-enrichment activities.

President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (right) visiting Bushehr last year (Fars)
April 3, 2007 -- Iran says that a continued Russian refusal to deliver atomic fuel to its first nuclear power station would justify Tehran's uranium-enrichment activities.