IAEA: $10 million a year needed to assess Iran

The IAEA will need around $10.5 million per year to verify and monitor Iran's nuclear capacity according to a report the international organisation presented to member states yesterday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the money is needed to ensure Iran complies with its commitments as set out in the landmark international agreement reached last month.

"There is now a historic opportunity to resolve the Iran nuclear issue," IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano said in an address yesterday.

"I hope that full use will be made of this opportunity," he said.

Amano reminded member states on the IAEA board the joint plan of action had been agreed by international negotiators (the E3+3 – China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US) and Iran on 14 July. He said his agency was ready to undertake the necessary work subject to the board's approval.

"Iran has agreed to implement extra nuclear-related commitments, which are known as transparency measures. These include enhanced access for agency inspectors to uranium mines and mills, and continuous surveillance of centrifuge manufacturing and storage locations," Amano said.

The director-general explained that these would improve the IAEA's understanding of Iran's nuclear programme.

Amano called on all member states in a position to do so "to contribute towards the financial needs of the Agency related to implementation of the Joint Plan of Action, as well as preparatory and implementation work".

He will present the final assessment to the board on 15 December.