U.S. Seeks $672 Million for Iran Nuclear Material Removal

The administration requested $672 million to remove and eliminate Iranian nuclear materials, support inspections, and expand verification efforts as part of an $80 billion supplemental funding package. The funding would go to the Department of Energy for activities that terminate Iran's ability to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon, including disposition of sensitive material, technology, equipment, and infrastructure, a White House official said.

The $672 million portion covers removal of uranium hexafluoride, uranium in various forms, research reactor fuel, and highly enriched uranium. It also funds U.S. verification activities inside Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency inspections, nuclear-smuggling detection, and Nuclear Emergency Support Team operations across the Middle East.

" The larger $80 billion request covers military operations, replenishment of munitions stockpiles, and other national security priorities stemming from the conflict.

Iranian negotiators are attempting to translate the June 17 memorandum of understanding into a detailed agreement governing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and future nuclear activities. The memorandum established that the minimum acceptable method for Iran's roughly 900-pound stockpile of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade is downblending on site under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision.

"The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down blended on site under the supervision of the IAEA," the memorandum states.