Iran loads fuel to power up Bushehr nuclear reactor

[steve2470]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-bushehr-20100822,0,3826490.story


Reporting from Beirut — Engineers began loading fuel rods into a nuclear reactor on Iran's southern coast Saturday, a milestone that puts the long-delayed plant within a few weeks of operation, Iranian state television reported.

Against the backdrop of tightened sanctions that are meant to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, the Russian-built plant has become the center of an international controversy as all sides invest the reactor with a symbolic significance far beyond its ability to produce electricity.

John R. Bolton, the Bush administration's former United Nations envoy, made waves and set off war jitters last week after he said that Israel was running out of time to bomb the plant before the fuel cells were loaded, or otherwise risk creating a radioactive cloud that would harm too many civilians.

Iran countered with its own threat. "In that case, we will lose a power plant, but Israel's existence will be in danger," said Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen Ahmad Vahidi.