Iran's official news agency says the country is preparing to build more nuclear power plants.

The report quotes the head of a state-owned nuclear energy production company as saying his company has signed agreements with other domestic firms to find locations to build new nuclear power plants. He says the process could take about 13 months.

Iran has previously announced plans to build six more nuclear power plants by 2021.

The country is building its first nuclear power plant in the southern port of Bushehr with the help of Russia. It is expected to go on line later this year.

The U.S. suspects Iran's nuclear program is a cover for developing weapons. Iran denies this, saying it's for generating electricity.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)