Iran Protests Austria’s Exclusion of Nuclear Chief From IAEA Conference

Iranian ambassador Reza Najafi protested Austria’s decision to prevent Atomic Energy Organization of Iran chief Mohammad Eslami from attending the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. Najafi told Monday’s session that the move violated Iran’s rights under the agency statute and rules on privileges and immunities. He said member states have sovereign equality and may choose their own representatives, while Austria has host-state obligations toward delegations. The dispute comes as the IAEA Board has criticized Tehran for refusing inspectors access to nuclear sites damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes.