IAEA asks for donations for inspection of Iran's nuclear plan

Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on Friday called for donations for intensified inspection of Iran's nuclear program. Amano said his agency needs extra-budgetary contributions of some 5.5 million euros (7.5 million U.S. dollars) for the purpose. "I call upon countries which are in a position to do so to make the necessary funding available," Amano told an IAEA board meeting. The Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog needs around 6 million euros (8.2 million dollars) in total to enhance the monitoring and verification of Iran's nuclear-related programs, a task set out in a Joint Plan of Action agreed by Iran and six world powers to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear development plan. The IAEA plans to double the staff devoted to verification in Iran.