Iran on Monday takes control of its civilian nuclear reactor at Bushehr on the Gulf coast, a project finished by Russia

Iran on Monday takes control of its civilian nuclear reactor at Bushehr on the Gulf coast, a project begun 35 years ago by Germany, wracked by setbacks, and finished by Russia.

The Islamic republic's atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi confirmed on Sunday that Russia would hand over the 1,000-megawatt plant Monday.

He also said he expected work to start soon on a second plant upon completion of talks with Moscow, saying: "Negotiations are continuing and are well-advanced."

"Work will start soon," he added, without saying when.

Salehi will join Russian officials at the plant for Monday's official handover ceremony.

The official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying on Sunday that "for another two years it will be under Russian guarantee and a number of Russian experts will remain in place to give advice and technical assistance".

Bushehr, under the control of the UN watchdog the IAEA, was finished by Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom.