“I intend to condition and/or withhold voluntary contributions to the IAEA in fiscal year 2016 should they [side deals] not be provided prior to the congressional debate next month,” Graham said in the letter addressed to US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The IAEA and Iran signed a separate arrangement outlining the nuclear verification regime, following the July 14 conclusion of the comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.
In the letter, written on August 11, Graham argued that revision of IAEA side agreements with Tehran is crucial for the US national security.
Graham said he will work with members of Congress to withhold the $88 million that the United States voluntary provides IAEA for nonproliferation and anti-terrorism programs, if his request for the agreements’ text is ignored.
“I encourage you [Obama] to make this request a priority within the Administration and in dealings with the IAEA,” he added.
The Republican-controlled Congress has until September 17 to review and accept or reject the final nuclear deal with Iran. President Obama has threatened to veto any resolution of disapproval from the Congress. In order to block a presidential veto, both the House and Senate would have to secure a two-thirds majority vote.
