From the Associated Press

BUSHEHR, Iran — For Iranians across the political spectrum, delays in construction of the country’s first nuclear reactor have strengthened their resolve to master their own nuclear technology and resist U.N. efforts to stop them.

The reactor, already eight years behind schedule, is snagged on what Iran calls a politically motivated business dispute with longtime ally Russia.

Because of the delay, Russia also indefinitely put off the delivery of enriched uranium fuel it had promised to provide Iran in March.

Iran was furious, convinced Russia was pressuring the country to bend to the U.N. Security Council, which has placed sanctions against it for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.

Iranian lawmakers are now pushing for the country to ensure it does not need to rely on anyone. Due to have opened in 1999, the Bushehr reactor stands 95 percent complete, Iranian officials say. /AP