Preparations for the launch of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran will be finished by the end of August, the head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) said on Tuesday.

"Everything is going to plan. As has been planned, the preparatory work on the first phase of the physical launch must be finished by the end of August," Sergei Kiriyenko said, adding that the date had been set my Iran.

He said the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant would not be affected by the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran.

"No-one is against the development of Iran's civilian nuclear program; the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is being carried out under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency," he added.

The construction of Iran's first nuclear plant was begun in 1975 by several German construction companies. They pulled out following a U.S. embargo on high-technology supplies to Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy siege in Tehran.

Russia signed a contract with Iran to complete construction in February 1998.

On June 9, the UN Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.

Later, the United States and the European Union imposed extra sanctions against Iran, including tougher restrictions on the energy sector and a tougher trade embargo.

Iran says the sanctions will only hinder talks on resolving the issue.

MOSCOW, July 27 (RIA Novosti)