Iran nuclear chief barred from IAEA meeting, Tehran blames US

IAEA HQ in Vienna, Austria | Reuters

Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, was unable to attend an annual conference of the UN nuclear watchdog in Vienna on Monday after being refused entry to Austria, with Tehran blaming the United States for the decision.

Iranian state television reported that Eslami and his delegation travelled to Vienna on Saturday but were prevented from attending the meeting due to what it described as US obstruction.

“Mohammad Eslami and his delegation took a regular flight to Vienna on Saturday, but were blocked on the way because of obstructions by the United States,” the broadcaster reported, adding that Eslami had returned to Tehran.

Eslami was scheduled to attend the annual general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which began in Vienna on Monday and runs until Friday.

He attended last year’s conference and delivered a speech on behalf of Iran, an IAEA member state.

Following the decision, Tehran summoned Austria’s charge d’affaires to protest the refusal to allow the Iranian delegation into the country.

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“The Austrian government’s refusal to issue visas to the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a completely unjustified decision,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran attended by AFP.

“It is clear to us that this incident occurred under American pressure, but that does not absolve the Austrian government of responsibility.”

A diplomatic source in Vienna, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Eslami was refused entry to Austria due to US pressure.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, saying its nuclear programme posed a threat.

Western powers have for decades suspected Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran has consistently denied.

AFP

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