Trump team bars Iranian official from addressing UN nuclear talks - Reuters
Photo: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (Getty Images)
Iran’s Vice President for Nuclear Affairs, Mohammad Eslami, was banned from speaking at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The reason was pressure from the Trump administration, according to Bloomberg.
According to sources, Eslami was scheduled to address the United Nations nuclear watchdog, but Austria denied him entry.
An anonymous official stated that the refusal to lift sanctions, which would have allowed Eslami to enter Austria, came after persistent requests from the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Although a lower-level Iranian representative will still be able to speak at the meeting later this week, this means that a high-ranking emissary from Tehran will not speak at the beginning of the conference.
Instead, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright intends to use the forum to warn Tehran of Washington’s firm stance that Iran must never develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
"Iran must fully cooperate with the IAEA, meet its safeguards obligations, and provide the access necessary for the agency to do its job," Wright plans to say, according to an administration representative.
Wright’s scheduled speech will follow a recent warning from the IAEA that the agency has detected construction activity at Iran’s Mount Pakech. This is a heavily fortified facility, likely linked to the nuclear program.
Last Wednesday, Trump mentioned small activity at Pakech and warned Iran not to play games; otherwise, the US would have to deliver a strong blow.
What else is known
Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has resumed ballistic missile production at underground facilities following strikes by Israel and the US. In particular, Tehran is assembling at least two main types of missiles.
According to the Financial Times, Iran has requested drones from Russia, which Moscow has already upgraded to jet-powered models during the war against Ukraine. Tehran reportedly needs these unmanned vehicles for a war against the US and Israel.
