Russia and Iran sign US-opposed nuclear fuel deal

RUSSIA and Iran signed a nuclear fuel supply deal long opposed by Washington yesterday, paving the way for Tehran to start up its first atomic power plant next year.

The agreement, signed by the two countries’ nuclear energy chiefs at the Bushehr atomic reactor in southern Iran, came as Tehran faced heightened pressure from the United States, which accuses it of secretly developing nuclear weapons.

Iran denies the charge and has strong backing from Moscow, which is keen to play a major role in Iran’s nuclear energy program.