US Blocks Iran's Nuclear Chief Mohammad Eslami from Vienna IAEA Conference

Mohammad Eslami, Iran's nuclear chief, was prevented from attending an annual conference at the United Nations nuclear agency's headquarters in Vienna on Monday. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that Washington had applied pressure to stop Eslami from entering Austria, stating that Eslami is a sanctioned individual and that the US does not want sanctioned individuals evading their sanctions. Wright added that Eslami had requested a waiver of the sanctions, which was denied. According to Iranian state TV, Eslami and a delegation took a regular flight to Vienna on Saturday but were blocked en route due to obstructions by the United States. Both Washington and Tehran confirmed the incident. The conference is an annual gathering held at the UN nuclear agency's headquarters in Vienna. The blocking of Eslami marks a continuation of US pressure tactics against Iranian officials subject to sanctions. The incident underscores heightened tensions between the two countries over Iran's nuclear program and the enforcement of US sanctions. No further details about the conference or its agenda were provided in the source material.