The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday highlighted the shortage of funds to continue its nuclear-related monitoring and verification activities in Iran.
At a special meeting of the IAEA, the agency's director Yukiya Amano noted a shortage of some 4.6 million euros (5.8 million U.S. dollars) for IAEA to implement the Joint Plan of Action and called on member states to contribute as soon as possible to ensure smooth continuation of the monitoring activities as stipulated in the plan.
The IAEA's 35-nation governing board endorsed the agency " to continue its existing work and undertake some additional activities" under the Joint Plan of Action, a landmark interim deal agreed between Iran and the P5+1 group (the five U.N. Security Council permanent members plus Germany) a year ago, with Iran curbing its nuclear activities in exchange for relevant sanction relief.
Amano told the meeting that the agency's work had involved a significant increase in the frequency of its in-field verification activities, as well as the installation of more safeguards equipment and the undertaking of more samples.
In July, negotiators failed to find a final solution in resolving the decades-long disputed Iranian nuclear plan, and extended the talks for another four months.
In November, Iran and the P5+1 group decided to extend the interim deal for another seven month, aiming at reaching a long-term comprehensive solutions over the Iran nuclear program.