▲ Mohammad Eslami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and Vice President, was unable to attend the annual General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on the 14th (local time), according to Bloomberg and other outlets.
A U.S. official told the media outlet that Eslami was scheduled to speak at the IAEA general conference that day, but the Austrian government denied him entry on the grounds that he is subject to United Nations sanctions.
The official added that although the Austrian government requested a waiver from the UN Sanctions Committee regarding the entry ban on Eslami, the request ultimately fell through due to strong demands from the United States.
According to Iran's state-run IRIB broadcaster, Eslami and his delegation departed on a scheduled flight bound for Vienna on the 12th.
However, the broadcaster reported that midway through the flight, persistent obstruction by the U.S. combined with the cooperation of certain countries resulted in the aircraft changing its course.
IRIB stated, "The delegation's final destination was Vienna, the capital of Austria, but unfortunately, midway through the journey, the plane was forced to turn back and was blocked," adding, "As a result, Eslami ultimately failed to arrive in Vienna and returned to Tehran on the 12th, the very day of his departure."
It appears the U.S. made this decision based on the view that granting even a temporary exemption from UN sanctions to Eslami could be interpreted as conferring legitimacy on the Iranian regime.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright hinted at U.S. opposition to the sanctions waiver, stating, "Eslami is subject to sanctions, and we do not want sanctioned individuals to evade sanctions. He requested a sanctions waiver, but it was denied."
Iran immediately protested.
The Iranian government summoned the Chargé d'Affaires of Austria to Iran to protest the decision denying Eslami entry.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also criticized the decision, stating, "The Austrian government's refusal to issue visas to the Iranian delegation is a decision that cannot be justified in any way."
He further emphasized, "It is clear that this incident occurred under U.S. pressure, but that does not exempt the Austrian government from its responsibility."
France, the United Kingdom, and Germany—three European nations that signed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—triggered the "snapback" mechanism in September of last year to restore UN sanctions, judging that Iran had intentionally violated the nuclear agreement.
Consequently, a travel ban has been imposed on Eslami.
Earlier, Iranian media reported on the 12th that Eslami had left Tehran to attend the IAEA General Conference.
In the U.S., Energy Secretary Wright is expected to attend this IAEA General Conference and emphasize the need for Iran to halt its nuclear program, ban the possession of nuclear weapons, and resume inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities by IAEA inspectors.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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