Obama administration holds up environmental grants to Iran
Despite its support for efforts to confront climate change, the United States is blocking key multinational environmental projects for Iran that would have global benefits.
At a time of mounting environmental challenges for Iran and sensitive consultations over its nuclear program and Iraq, the Barack Obama administration is holding up implementation of several key Iranian projects developed by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), according to well-informed sources.
Two experts on Iran and the environment who requested anonymity told Al-Monitor that the GEF is waiting for a green light from the US government before moving forward on the projects, which have otherwise been cleared by the organization.
