Russian scientists raise alarm over Stuxnet damage at Iran's Bushehr N plant

Even as Russian nuclear scientists continue to provide technical assistance to Iran's attempts to activate the country's first nuclear power plant, they have  raised serious concerns over the extensive damage caused to the plant's computer systems by the mysterious Stuxnet virus. Israel possibly with US assistance is believed to be behind the deadly cyber attack.  

Western intelligence reports indicate that Russian scientists have warned the Kremlin that they could be faced with "another Chernobyl" if they were forced to comply with Iran's tight deadline for activation of the complex this summer.

The plant was first commissioned by the Shah in the 1970s and following decades of delays, Iran's leaders are insisting that scientists stick to the schedule set last year. They argue that any delay would deal a blow to the country's international prestige.

Bushehr is set to produce electricity for the first time, for Iran's national grid this summer, after Russian technicians started loading the first nuclear rods into the reactor last October.

Iran's foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, who also heads the country's Atomic Energy Organisation, dismissed suggestions for postponement of Bushehr's opening schedule earlier this month.

He has rejected out of hand reports that Stuxnet had caused damage to the nuclear plant.