MOSCOW, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The installing and testing work at the platform of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran has "come closer to an end," said a press release of the project's general contractor, Russia's Atomstroyexport, on Monday.

    The Bushehr nuclear power plant, the first of Iran, is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

    The press release said with major equipment installed and well-prepared, the project went in accordance with the set schedule. The project also received normal funding.

    According to the intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Iran, Atomstroyexport is in charge of the construction work of the first unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

    The Russian company said in February that it would finish the project by the year-end. Russian media reported that currently there are around 3,000 technicians on the plant's platform, among them 2,000 sent by Russia.

    The launch of the plant has been delayed several times due to financing problems. The plant was to open in September 2007, the Interfax news agency reported.

Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis