The completion of the plant in Iran's southern city of Bushehr is a "road with two directions and the obligations have to be fulfilled by both sides," Lavrov told reporters on a visit to Tehran.

The project to build the plant has been hit by successive delays and mutual accusations that either side were not living up to their financial obligations.

Iranian officials have on occasion accused Russia of being half-hearted in finishing the project at a time when the United States is pushing for more sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, Russian atomic officials have accused Iran of "losing interest" in the project and not respecting their financial obligations according to the contract.

But Lavrov said there are "no misunderstandings" between Russia and Iran, who have "agreed to continue their contacts in order to study the means to fulfill their respective engagements."

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