Iran’s first nuclear power plant in the Southern port city of Bushehr will enter its pre-launch phase in the presence of Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko in September.

Official launch date is being coordinated, RIA Novosti reported.

Iran signed a deal with Russia in 1995, according to which the plant was originally scheduled for completion in 1999. However, the project was repeatedly delayed by the Russian side. Russia finally completed construction of the plant last summer.

On October 26, Iran started injecting fuel into the core of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the initial phase of launching the nuclear reactor.

The facility operates under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.