Iran and Syria received millions of dollars from a U.S.-backed program that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report released Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported. They were two of four terrorism-sponsoring countries to receive funding under the International Atomic Energy Agency's Technical Cooperation program,
Iran received more than $15 million from 1997 to 2007, while Syria received $14 million. Two other states designated by the United States as terrorism sponsors, Cuba and Sudan, each received more than $11 million. The United States is the largest funder of the program which funds a number of non-nuclear energy programs, and some projects with a direct connection to nuclear energy, including a small percentage the GAO said could provide expertise on the development of nuclear weapon capabilities. The GAO report also called U.S. oversight of the program weak.