If the tests are completed, the first stage of the Bushehr nuclear power plant will surely become operational by the end of Ramadan (August), Abbasi was quoted as saying.

Abbasi said the nuclear power plant will join the national grid at the first phase and can consequently generate 40 percent of its total power generation, the semi-official Mehr news agency said.

Since the plant will be commissioned in various stages after necessary tests, people should not focus on such marginal issues as the accurate date of commissioning at the cost of ignoring importance of taking main safety measures, he said.

He stressed the need to observe high standard safety measures after the incidents that happened in Fukushima Power Plant already, said IRNA.

The commissioning is time-consuming in view of observing even the slightest international standards on the project, he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has always been monitoring various stages of the project, he added.

Abbasi said the plant will be inaugurated later November or December, according to IRNA.