IAEA asks for donations to inspect Iran's n-plan

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano Friday called for donations to intensify inspection of Iran's nuclear programme.

Amano said his agency needed extra-budgetary contributions of some 5.5 million euros ($7.5 million) for the purpose, Xinhua reported.

"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) in total to enhance the monitoring and verification of Iran's nuclear-related programmes, a task set out in a Joint Plan of Action agreed upon by Iran and six world powers -- the US, Britain, France, China and Russia, and Germany -- to ensure a peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear development plan.

On Monday, the IAEA confirmed that Iran had ceased uranium enrichment above five percent at the Natanz and Fordo facilities, according to a confidential report by its inspectors.

The IAEA plans to double the staff devoted to verification in Iran.