US blocks Iranian nuclear chief from attending IAEA conference in Vienna
Quick Look
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the US blocked Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami from attending a UN nuclear agency conference in Vienna, citing his status as a sanctioned individual.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Mohammad Eslami is subject to international sanctions, which the US government is actively enforcing to prevent his travel to Austria for the IAEA conference.
Iran’s nuclear chief was blocked from attending an annual conference on Monday at the headquarters of the UN’s nuclear agency in Vienna after US pressure, both Washington and Tehran said.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed to reporters that Washington had applied pressure to stop Mohammad Eslami from entering Austria, saying “he’s a sanctioned individual and we don’t want sanctioned individuals evading their sanctions”.
“He asked for a waiver of the sanctions and it was denied.”
Iranian state TV said Eslami and a delegation “took a regular flight to Vienna on Saturday, but were blocked on the way because of obstructions by the United States”.
Open Questions
- Will Iran attempt to send a different representative to the conference?
- What is the IAEA's formal position on the US blocking a member state official?
