The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it will run out of money next month to monitor implementation of nuclear accords with Tehran and asked countries to increase funding the costs of its Iran work, which will rise to $10 million a year.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano said he had asked member states for contributions to ensure its work can go ahead.
Under the agreement reached between Tehran and six world powers on July 14, sanctions relief for Iran hinges on IAEA reports on its past and present nuclear programme. So far, costs for the IAEA’s activities on Iran have been met through extra-budgetary contributions from member states.
But Mr. Amano said the €800,000 ($924,000) a month the agency receives to verify current Iran nuclear agreements would be exhausted by the end of next month.
The IAEA will need an additional €160,000 a month in the run-up to the implementation of the agreement which could happen in the first half of next year. Once it is implemented, the agency will need an annual €9.2 million ($10.6 million) to ensure verification of the deal.
Following Mr. Amano’s request, the U.S. said it was committed to ensuring it had enough money for its Iran operations.
