Iranian Nuclear Chief Barred From Attending IAEA Conference in Vienna

VIENNA (Terror Monitor) — Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was prevented from attending the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) annual general conference in Vienna on Monday after the United States pressured Austria not to allow him to enter the country.

The United States confirmed that it had pressured Austria to deny Eslami entry. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters that Eslami is under sanctions and that Washington does not want sanctioned individuals to receive exemptions from travel restrictions.

According to Wright, an exemption from the travel restrictions had been requested for Eslami but was rejected.

Austria’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that Eslami is subject to a United Nations travel ban and that Vienna had requested an exemption for him. However, the ministry said the request could not be approved because there was no consensus in the UN Security Council.

Eslami had been scheduled to attend the IAEA’s annual General Conference in Vienna, which is due to continue through Friday.

Iranian state television reported that Eslami and his delegation had departed for Vienna on a scheduled flight on Saturday but were prevented from continuing their journey because of U.S. restrictions.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, a senior official at Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, described the decision as political pressure and intimidation by the United States. He said the decision had established a precedent that could affect other countries in the future.

Eslami also attended the same conference last year and addressed the gathering on behalf of Iran, despite being under sanctions at the time.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the refusal to issue visas to the Iranian delegation was unjustified. He said Iran believed the move had been made under U.S. pressure but added that this did not absolve Austria of its responsibilities.

The dispute comes as the United States and Israel are engaged in a war against Iran that began on February 28.

Western countries have for decades accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran has consistently rejected the allegations and maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.