Iran says it will sign a deal next week with Russia under which Moscow will provide fuel to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Iranian state television quotes a deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Asadollah Sabouri, as saying a pact, which obligates Tehran to return spent nuclear fuel to Russia, will be signed February 26.

Under the deal, Mr. Sabouri says Russia will provide the Bushehr plant with nuclear fuel for the next 10 years. 

Moscow and Tehran have been locked in negotiations over the final disposition of spent fuel. Russia had refused further assistance in developing the Bushehr plant until Tehran agreed to return the spent fuel, which can be used in the development of nuclear weapons. 

The United States says it suspects Iran is trying to develop such weaponry, despite Tehran's assertions its nuclear intentions are peaceful.