"The difficulties with the Iranian client are resolved and we have an agreement on the timetable for construction. I will give more details at the end of December," said Atomstroiexport head Sergei Shmatko. "We absolutely plan to build Bushehr."

Bushehr is at the heart of Iran's controversial nuclear plans, which Teheran says only involve power generation, but which Israel, the United States and some European countries believe includes a military component.

However, Shmatko would not give details on plans to send nuclear fuel needed for Bushehr to start functioning.

Moscow has blamed payment disputes and poor equipment for delays to the completion of Bushehr, but the hold-ups also came amid intense international pressure on Iran to clear suspicions over its nuclear ambitions.

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