The $1 billion project to build the Islamic Republic's first NPP has been a source of international dispute, over fears that the country's nuclear power plans may be a cover for a weapons program.
The source said Russia will pressure Iran to quickly resolve financial issues over construction and equipment supplies for the plant from third countries.
"Russia, including [nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly] Atomstroyexport, has made every effort over the past two months, and increased the number of workers involved in the NPP's construction by 500, despite Iran's off-schedule financing of the project," the source said.
He said Russia and Iran had agreed to set up a financial committee, which was expected to resolve financial problems by October 10.
"The Iranian side has done almost nothing to move the construction forward in the past two months," the source said.
He said project financing in October totaled $8 million instead of $33 million, and only $29 million instead of $68 million in October-November 2006. He also said Iranian bureaucracy was holding back the construction.
Another source said work on the plant was hindered by management reshuffles and problems over equipment supplies from third countries, due to the unstable situation surrounding Iran.
Under the current schedule, the Bushehr NPP will be commissioned in September 2007, and power generation will begin two months later.
Russian nuclear chief Sergei Kiriyenko told Iranian media Monday: "This is a very tough schedule and we want to complete this work earlier."
