Iran injects fuel into nuclear reactor

TEHRAN - The delayed loading of fuel into the core of Iran’s first nuclear power plant took place Tuesday in the southern port city of Bushehr, the Fars news agency said.

A total of 163 fuel rods are gradually to be injected into the Russian-built, 1,000-megawatt reactor, Fars said.

The power plant’s construction has been marred by delays that led to a cooling of relations between Russia and Iran.

Bushehr is to start producing energy in 2011, Iran says.