After years of delays, Iran inaugurated the Bushehr nuclear plant Monday. In a ceremony attended by Iranian and Russian officials, Iran's nuclear chief Fereydoun Abbasi said that The start of the Bushehr plant symbolically shows to the world how a country could maintain its freedom and independence through resistance,” referring to Western opposition to the construction of the plant.
Abbasi added that the plant showed the benefits of cooperation between his country and Russia. "This is the first nuclear power plant in the Middle East, and Iran and Russia have set an example for peaceful nuclear cooperation," he said. The Bushehr plant will be able to produce 1000 mwh of power when it comes fully on-line in November.