Iran's first nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr has started operations. Iran's Atomic Chief Ali Akbar Salehi said they sealed the cover of the reactor without any propaganda and fuss and that all the fuel rods are in the core of the reactor. He said the electricity produced at the Bushehr plant will be connected to the national grid in a month or two. The Bushehr nuclear reactor represents a key milestone in Iran's efforts to produce nuclear energy. Russia will operate the facility and will both supply the nuclear fuel and remove the nuclear waste. Iran has repeatedly claimed its atomic programme is entirely peaceful and merely to produce energy. However, its separate plans to enrich uranium has raised suspicions in the West that its programme is for military purposes.