White House requests $672 million from Congress to neutralize Iran nuclear program

The US administration has requested $672 million from Congress to fund measures aimed at “completely and verifiably halting” Iran’s capacity to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

According to a Fox News report citing a White House source, the funding request was submitted as part of a supplemental budget proposal.

The requested funds are intended to cover the removal from the country and the disposal of Iran’s nuclear materials, including uranium hexafluoride, various other forms of uranium, and fuel for research reactors.

These resources will also finance US monitoring activities in Iran, support for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections, efforts to combat nuclear smuggling, and the expansion of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team’s (NEST) operations in the Middle East.

In a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought stated that these resources are being requested for the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within the framework of non-proliferation programs.

The funding will be utilized for the elimination of materials, technology, equipment, and infrastructure linked to Iran’s nuclear program that possess sensitive non-proliferation characteristics.

In total, the White House administration has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding from Congress. According to the letter, the vast majority of this budget request is associated with expenditures within the scope of the war with Iran.

Additionally, $768 million was requested for the US Department of Energy under nuclear and energy security, primarily to be used for the NNSA’s activities connected to this operation.

The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18. This memorandum envisages a cessation of hostilities, the conduct of negotiations toward a final agreement within 60 days, the gradual lifting of US restrictions, the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing Iran’s nuclear program.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had previously announced that the agency is ready to participate in the verification process of potential agreements that may be reached between the US and Iran.