UN experts complete inspection, seal containers of Russian nuclear fuel intended for Iran

U.N. atomic watchdog agency experts on Friday ended their inspection and sealed containers of Russian uranium fuel that is intended for Iran's first nuclear power plant, Russian officials said.

The completion of the International Atomic Energy Agency's work at Russia's main manufacturer of nuclear power plant fuel moves the delivery of the fuel for the Bushehr plant one step closer _ a step likely to further stoke concerns among Western nations deeply suspicious of Iran's intentions.

"The IAEA team together with representatives of the Federal Agency for Atomic Agency, the Iranian customer and the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant examined the nuclear fuel and sealed the containers," state-run nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL said in the statement.

Konstantin Grabelnikov, deputy head of the Novosibirsk plant, said delivery "will be made when there is a technological need at the plant and when a corresponding order is made," according to the statement.

During his trip to Iran last month, President Vladimir Putin promised that Russia would complete Bushehr, first planned more than a decade ago, but refused to say when it could begin operations.

He said a decision on shipping fuel would be made once Russian and Iranian experts agree on revisions to the contract.

Russia has said that the fuel dispute warned that Iran has been slow in making payments. Iranian officials have angrily denied they are in arrears and accused the Kremlin of caving in to pressure from Western countries.

The United States and other Western nations allege Tehran is using its nuclear program as a cover for efforts to develop atomic weapons. Tehran says its nuclear intentions are solely for generating electricity.

Putin's careful stance suggests he is seeking to preserve ties with Tehran without angering the West. Putin said he does not see evidence that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, as the United States and its allies contend.

Moscow has said it does not want a nuclear-armed Iran, and has urged Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment and answer international inspectors' questions.

Russia and China, another important ally of Iran, grudgingly approved two sets of limited United Nations sanctions against Iran over its refusal to suspend enrichment. But the Kremlin has bristled at the U.S. push for tougher measures, saying they would only escalate the rift.