Russia and Iran on Sunday ironed out financial disputes and inked a protocol that will see Russia help Iran build its first nuclear energy plant.

Representatives of senior Russian partner Atomstroyexport and Iran's Atomic Energy Organization signed the agreement in Moscow which will lead to the construction of the Bushehr plant, stated Atomstroyexport press secretary Irina Yesipova.

The origins of the deal date back to 1995 when the two nations first signed the US$1-billion-contract for the plant, located in southwestern Iran. However, financial issues have long dogged the project, with Russia accusing Iran of failing to make its payments on time.

Under an agreement reached last September, nuclear fuel was to begin arriving at Bushehr last March with the full plant set to start production in September. However, Russian officials reneged on this deal by deciding to halt fuel deliveries until all disputes were solved.

This latest delay would push back the facility's trial run by a further two months,  head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency Sergei Kiriyenko said to Interfax news agency.

"If (the protocol) is successfully implemented, some financing issues will be settled," Yesipova added, noting that the two sides will continue further talks in Tehran in May.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2007)