SAEDNEWS: Iran Warns of Dangerous Precedent Over IAEA Conference Attendance Ban
According to Saednews, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has criticized the US and Austria over the decision to prevent Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, from attending the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Behrouz Kamalvandi said blocking the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran from attending the conference could create a dangerous precedent and called for resistance against what he described as political pressure and bullying.
Kamalvandi also condemned the move by the US government as “childish behavior,” stressing that the IAEA and its member states have a responsibility to ensure that international rules are respected.
He said pressure should not be allowed to influence either individual countries or international organizations, particularly in matters governed by the IAEA’s rules of procedure.
The Austrian government revoked Eslami’s visa, reportedly under US pressure, preventing him from participating in the conference despite Austria’s responsibilities as the host country for international institutions.
The 70th IAEA General Conference opened in Vienna on Monday, with discussions focused on the agency’s annual report, nuclear science and technology, technical cooperation, safeguards, and efforts to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities.
