Israel Matzav

Your favorite uncle to preserve Obama's 'legacy'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that its budget will be busted by the end of September (of this year) if it has to keep monitoring Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons (Hat Tip: Gershon D).

Yukiya Amano, head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced on Tuesday that his organization's funds to monitor Iran's nuclear program will run out next month, indicating a potential road block for last month's Iran nuclear deal.

Up to this point the IAEA has been receiving funding for its monitoring of Iran thanks to member state contributions that were outside the scope of the body's regular budget, reports Reuters.

The IAEA chief asked member states to fork over more funds to continue the monitoring of the Islamic regime, revealing that the 800,000 euros ($924,000) a month that it has received to this point will run out by the end of September.

Amano detailed the expenses needed in order to monitor Iran until the nuclear deal is implemented - presumably early next year - listing them at 160,000 euros (over $184,000) per month. He added that 9.2 million euros (over $10.5 million) a year will be needed by the IAEA to monitor Iran under the framework of the deal.

The IAEA's annual budget hit 350 million euros (over $402 million) last year, and according to Amano he will seek to incorporate the costs of monitoring Iran as part of the deal into the IAEA's regular annual budget starting in 2017.

But have no fear. Your favorite Uncle (his name is Sam in case you've forgotten) is going to step in to pay all the costs of monitoring that no one else will pay. 

The United States said on Tuesday it will make sure the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has enough money to report on Iran's past, present and future nuclear programs.

The UN nuclear watchdog has asked its member states to step up financial contributions for its monitoring activities in Iran which are set to widen after Tehran reached a deal with world powers in July to curb its atomic program.

"The United States is committed to working with all (IAEA) member states to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to verify Iran's nuclear-related commitments under the (July 14 agreement)," the US mission in Vienna said in a statement.

And if no one else will pay, Uncle Sam will pay it himself. Or the IAEA will just leave and we'll let Iran monitor itself. Because, after all, Obama's gotta have a legacy.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, IAEA, Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran sanctions regime, Iranian nuclear threat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:23 PM