Agency Needs $5.7 Million Budget to Extend Mission in Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that it requires $5,670,000 to continue monitoring Iran's nuclear activities as part of a seven-month extension of the Geneva agreement. Reuters reported on Wednesday, December 3, that in a document obtained by the agency, this UN-affiliated organization has requested member countries to provide the necessary budget for extending its mission in Iran. The nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers did not reach a conclusion by the set deadline of November 24. The six world powers and Iran extended negotiations until June 2015 to resolve a 12-year stalemate. Thus, last year's preliminary agreement remains in effect. According to this agreement, Iran halted most of its secret nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of some Western economic sanctions. The IAEA is tasked with monitoring Iran's nuclear activities and ensuring Tehran's compliance with its commitments. IAEA inspectors visit Iran's nuclear facilities and activities daily. Ahead of next week's Board of Governors meeting to discuss this issue, the agency has written in a confidential letter to member states that the cost of extending the inspectors' mission in Iran will be $5.7 million. According to IAEA calculations, part of this budget will come from unspent budget lines and internal resources, but '5,670,000 dollars in voluntary contributions from member states is needed.' The letter states that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano 'invites member states that have the capacity to contribute to provide financial resources to enable the continuation of the agency's monitoring and inspection mission.' Reuters adds that due to the political significance of this agreement, officials anticipate no issues in securing the necessary funding for the agency. Iran denies Western accusations of attempting to build a nuclear weapon. However, Tehran's refusal to reduce its uranium enrichment program has led to Western economic and financial sanctions that have harmed Iran's oil-dependent economy. Following the preliminary agreement in Geneva, which has been extended twice, the workload for agency inspectors has significantly increased. These officials inspect the Natanz and Fordow facilities daily, whereas previously inspections occurred once a week. This agreement was reached to buy time for advancing negotiations and reaching a final agreement, initially valid for six months starting in January, but was extended again last week. Earlier this year, the IAEA requested 6.5 million euros to cover inspection costs for Iran's nuclear facilities. Mr. Amano stated last month that 'the volume of inspection and monitoring work in Iran has doubled.'