Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi hailed Russia’s move on Bushehr nuclear plant fuelling and expressed hope Russia’s next step would be the delivery of S-300 missile system to Iran, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran struck a deal with Russia in 2007 to buy the S-300 systems, but Russia delayed the delivery of the anti-aircraft missiles.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in the June meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy that his country will freeze the missile sales to Iran in the light of the UN sanctions, according to the Elysee Palace.

“The move (loading fuel into Bushehr nuclear plant by Russians) is important due to its timing, since it came after the imposition of (UN) sanction resolution 1929 as a politically-motivated and illegal action against Iranians,” Boroujerdi, head of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran’s parliament, was quoted as saying.

“The U.S. also pressed its European allies to take the same measures (of sanctioning) against Iran. They also put Russia under pressure to prevent loading Bushehr nuclear plant,” Boroujerdi told ISNA.

Russia’s move ensured Iranians that it abides by its commitments and public opinion in Iran, he said, adding that ” Russia (should) implement its obligations on S-300 missile system as well.”

After years of delay, Russians completed the construction of Bushehr nuclear plant, which began in 1975 by German companies but was halted after the United States imposed embargo on hi-tech supplies to Iran following Iran’s 1979 revolution.

Russia signed a contract with Tehran in 1995 to complete the construction.

Iran and Russia started on Saturday to load fuel rods to a reactor at Iran’s first nuclear power plant.