Iran's atomic energy chief barred from entering Austria

Austrian authorities, at the insistence of the United States, have denied entry to Mohammad Eslami, head of Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) of Iran, Report informs, citing Bloomberg.

As a result, he will be unable to deliver a speech on Iran's nuclear program at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference.

A source said the United Nations had requested temporary suspension of sanctions against Eslami to allow him to attend the conference. However, US authorities insisted on maintaining restrictions against the Iranian representative.

It was noted that a lower‑ranking Iranian official will now be obliged to speak in his place.

Bloomberg emphasized that US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright plans to address the conference, warning Tehran of the need to cooperate with the IAEA and to abandon any attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. Wright is also expected to highlight US leadership in nuclear technology development.

The 70th session of the IAEA General Conference will be held in Vienna from September 14–18.