Vienna, September 14 (askanews) – Iran's nuclear program chief, Mohammad Eslami, was unable to attend the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. Austria denied visas to Eslami and the Iranian delegation, who returned to Tehran. According to Iran, the decision was made under pressure from the United States. Washington, however, maintains that Eslami is under sanctions.
A diplomatic source in Vienna confirmed to Agence France Presse that Eslami was denied entry to Austria following American pressure. The Iranian government has summoned the Austrian charge d'affaires. "Denying access to the General Conference creates a precedent that will ultimately affect everyone. That's why we must resist such bullying political pressure," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. For Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, "the actions of the Austrian government, as the host country, are completely unjustified.
According to its obligations, it should have granted visas to the Iranian delegation. We have filed a formal protest with the Austrian government. Its chargé d'affaires has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." "For us," he added, "it is clear that what happened was the result of American pressure, but this does not absolve the Austrian government of its responsibilities."
Notizie.it editorial team