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Bushehr: Iran's leadership was furious yesterday over Russia's refusal to ship fuel for its first nuclear power plant, signalling a possible break in a longtime alliance that has helped protect Tehran from tough UN sanctions.
In a statement which reflected Moscow's growing irritation with its close partner, Russia urged Iran to fulfil the UN demand to freeze its uranium enrichment programme and to cooperate with a UN nuclear watchdog.
The statement came after Russian officials held talks in Moscow with Ali Hosseinitash, a deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
The refusal to deliver the fuel means the reactor at Bushehr will not begin working in September as scheduled.
Payment dispute
Russia's federal nuclear agency, Rosatom, said construction would be delayed two months because Iran had not made monthly payments of $25 million since January.
Iran has denied the Russian claims, and said bank documents would prove its payment.
"The Russians are extortionists," Iranian lawmaker Rasoul Sediqi Bonabi said.
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