The launch of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran has been set for August 21, the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) said on Friday.

Rosatom spokesman Sergei Novikov told RIA Novosti that the first reactor at the Bushehr NPP would be loaded with nuclear fuel on August 21.

"From then on, it [the reactor] will be qualified as [an operational] nuclear power plant," Novikov said.

A Russian delegation headed by Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko will attend the launch ceremony.

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, 2010, 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.

The construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has not been affected by the sanctions against Iran.

MOSCOW, August 13 (RIA Novosti)