🔻U.S. energy minister: Mohammad Eslami is sanctioned and we will not allow sanctions evasion

Chris Wright, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, said about Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, not participating, at the seventieth annual general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, that: “He is a sanctioned individual and we don’t want anyone to evade the sanctions. He requested a waiver, which was denied.”

Iran Today said that Austria did not agree to Eslami’s entry into Vienna due to “U.S. pressure,” and that he was unable to take part in the IAEA meeting.

Reza Najafi, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vienna and at the agency, after Chris Wright’s remarks, criticized this “obstruction” and said that Austria does not have the competence to host international organizations.

The headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency is in Vienna.

Mr. Najafi said: “The unacceptable record of the Austrian government’s policies and performance in fulfilling its commitments as the host country for international organizations based in Vienna leaves no doubt that this country is not fit for such a position.”

According to Iranian media, Austria said it submitted Mr. Eslami’s waiver request to the Security Council sanctions committee, but the request was rejected.

In response to this explanation by Austria, Iran’s ambassador said: “It is surprising that this country cites expired resolutions or a committee that doesn’t exist to justify the breach of the host country’s obligations.”