Iran has accused the United States of breaching international law after its nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, was prevented from attending a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
Eslami, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was unable to participate in the gathering after Washington refused to approve an exemption from sanctions-related travel restrictions, according to Iranian media.
Iran’s mission in Vienna condemned the decision, arguing that Austria, as host of the IAEA, is required under its headquarters agreement with the agency to facilitate access for representatives of member states.
Austria had sought an exemption from the relevant UN Security Council sanctions committee to allow Eslami to travel, but the request was rejected, according to Austria’s representative to international organisations in Vienna, Christian Ebner.
Iranian envoy Reza Najafi described the decision as a serious infringement of Tehran’s rights as an IAEA member. Russia also criticised the move, with its Vienna-based envoy Mikhail Ulyanov accusing Western countries of engaging in what he described as “visa lawlessness” and arguing that Austria had failed to meet its obligations as host country.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the decision, saying Eslami remained subject to sanctions and Washington did not want those restrictions circumvented through a waiver.
The dispute comes amid continued tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The United States is demanding that Iran dismantle its nuclear programme and maintains that Tehran must never be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its uranium enrichment activities are peaceful and says its civilian nuclear programme is a sovereign right.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi nevertheless signalled that the agency remains willing to re-engage with Tehran. Speaking at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Grossi said the organisation was again offering to work with Iran to resolve outstanding questions surrounding its nuclear activities and expressed optimism that a solution could eventually be reached.
