Tehran criticised Austria for refusing a visa to Mohammad Eslami, while Iran said its chargé d’affaires had been summoned over the decision
Iran has condemned Austria’s refusal to issue a visa to Mohammad Eslami for an IAEA conference in Vienna, calling the decision unjustified and politically motivated.
Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Austria’s refusal to issue a visa to Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, for an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conference in Vienna.
Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Austria should have issued entry visas to the Iranian delegation. He said Austria’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where Iran formally conveyed its protest.
Iran Criticises Austria Over IAEA Conference Visa
Baqaei described the decision as contradictory, arguing that Western countries were preparing what Iran considers an incorrect report while preventing Iranian representatives from entering the country to present their position.
He also rejected Austria’s reported explanation that the decision was taken under pressure from the United States, saying this did not remove the host country’s responsibility.
“They are seeking to prevent Iran’s voice from reaching the world,” Baqaei said, adding that Austria remained responsible for the decision.
Iran Raises Concerns Over IAEA Resolution
Commenting on efforts to pursue a resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors, Baqaei said responsibility for participation in what Iran considers an internationally wrongful act would not disappear with time.
“We use every opportunity to explain the issues,” he said.
Baqaei also criticised IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, expressing regret that the process of preparing a resolution against Iran had again been allowed to proceed despite the issue having been raised twice previously.
He said that, in Iran’s view, Grossi should first have condemned attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian facilities if he wanted to take what Tehran considers a fair approach.
Austria’s Role As Host Country
Eslami’s exclusion from the IAEA conference comes amid strained relations between Iran and Western countries. Austria, which hosts United Nations institutions in Vienna, has reportedly sought an exemption from the UN sanctions committee to permit Eslami to attend the gathering, but the request was not granted.
As the host country, Austria can request exemptions from travel restrictions for sanctioned officials seeking to attend UN-related conferences.
