U.S. reserves right to withdraw from WHO if it fulfills financial obligations: WHO spokesman

The United States has reserved its right to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), but any withdrawal can only take place if it first fulfills its financial obligations for the current fiscal year, a WHO spokesman said Friday.

Christian Lindmeier, the spokesman, made the remarks in response to a media query as the United States is set to formally withdraw from the WHO in January.

"When it joined WHO, the United States of America reserved its right to withdraw from the organization on a one-year notice, provided, however, that the financial obligations of the United States to the organization shall be met in full for the organization's current fiscal year," said the spokesman.

Lindmeier said the United States had currently not paid its invoiced amounts for assessed contributions for 2024 to 2025. According to the WHO, the U.S. owes the organization 260.6 million U.S. dollars in dues for 2024 and 2025.

On Jan 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration to withdraw the country from the WHO, which will only take effect after a one-year notice period.

U.S. reserves right to withdraw from WHO if it fulfills financial obligations: WHO spokesman

U.S. reserves right to withdraw from WHO if it fulfills financial obligations: WHO spokesman

U.S. reserves right to withdraw from WHO if it fulfills financial obligations: WHO spokesman

No damage has been found at facilities containing nuclear material in Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday, based on analysis of the latest available satellite imagery.

The imagery indicated no radiological release risk at the time, the IAEA said in a social media post.

Damage can be seen at two buildings near the Isfahan nuclear site, while at the Natanz site, no additional impact was detected after the previously reported damage at its entrances, the agency said. No impacts were detected at other nuclear sites, including Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

"IAEA remains in constant contact with national nuclear safety regulators in the Middle East. So far, no elevation of radiation detected," the IAEA said, adding that the nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates and research reactors in Jordan and Syria continue to operate normally.

In the social media post, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the "paramount importance" of maintaining regional nuclear safety and security during the military conflict.

The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran. On Tuesday, the IAEA said that some recent damage had been confirmed at Iran's Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant.

IAEA sees no radiological release risk in Iran amid ongoing conflict