Iran's first nuclear power plant will become operational in the next two months, the country's nuclear chief said on Saturday, just before possible talks with major powers over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Ali Akbar Salehi said the move showed Iran's nuclear plans were on track, state television reported.

'The Bushehr power plant will start operating in the next two months,' Salehi said. 'All fuel rods are in the core of the reactor and we should just wait for gradual heating of the water inside the core followed by some tests.'

Iran began loading fuel into the core of the Russian-built Bushehr plant in October as the last major step toward realising its stated goal of becoming a peaceful user of nuclear energy which is questioned by the West.

The fuel rods were transported into the reactor building in August but they were not inserted into its core and the plant's start-up was delayed due to what were described as minor technical problems.

The United State and its allies fear Iran is seeking to develop nuclear bombs under cover of a civilian programme. Iran says it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity.

Washington says it has no problem with the Russian-built Bushehr plant but does with Iran's other nuclear sites where they say weapons work may be going on.

The 1,000-megawatt plant will be connected into the national grid in a month or two, Salehi said.

A UN Security Council resolution passed in June, imposing a fourth round of sanctions, renewed a call on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, something Tehran has explicitly refused to do, saying such activity is its right under international law.-Reuters