Russia to deliver fuel to Bushehr only after it signs an agreement on return of Used Fuel

Russia will start delivering nuclear fuel to Bushehr as soon as the sides sign a Protocol on Return of Used Nuclear Fuel, Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at a RIA Novosti press conference.

He said also that the signing of an additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency was not a mandatory condition for deliveries of Russian fuel to Bushehr.

"The Protocol supplementing the Agreement on IAEA Guarantees is signed voluntarily - it is a supplementary document," he explained.

According to his words, the IAEA is discussing the subject with reference to other countries as well as to Iran, and will continue doing so at a June 16 session of the IAEA Council of Managers.

"The IAEA will be discussing all questions to Iran and other countries, and Russia is taking a very active part in these discussions," he noted.