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A senior Iranian lawmaker says Iran plans to load fuel into the core of its first nuclear reactor plant Tuesday, Reuters reports.

Iran says the Russian-built Bushehr reactor will start producing nuclear energy early next year after years of delays.

"Despite all efforts and policies of America and the European Union to put sanctions on Iran, the fuel of the Bushehr power plant will be loaded into its core tomorrow," senior Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi told Reuters.

Iran plans to hold celebrations to mark Tuesday’s event, according to local news agencies.

Iran insists that the nuclear reactor will be used to fuel future power stations designed to generate electricity and enable the country to export its gas and oil commodities.

The U.S. and its Western allies believe Iran’s uranium enrichment is to build a nuclear weapon.