Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, is not expected to attend the annual gathering of the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s member nations in Vienna, an official familiar with the matter said. This marks a potential absence for Eslami from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference for the first time in years, indicating a deterioration in relations between Iran and Western nations.
Austria had sought a waiver from the U.N. sanctions committee to allow Eslami to travel, but the request was not granted, the official added. The official, who was not authorized to comment on the sensitive issue, spoke on the condition of anonymity.
As the host nation for the United Nations in Vienna, Austria can request exemptions from travel bans for sanctioned officials to attend international conferences. Eslami has regularly attended and addressed the IAEA’s General Conference since his appointment in 2021.
The U.N. sanctions reinstated last year, triggered by France, Britain, and Germany over Iran’s nuclear program, include a travel ban, an arms embargo, and restrictions on ballistic missile development. These measures were reimposed after Iran was deemed to have departed from the 2015 nuclear deal.
Since June 2025, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran has denied IAEA inspectors access to affected facilities, despite its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The IAEA has also been unable to verify the status of a significant stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. According to the IAEA, Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a level considered a short technical step away from the 90% purity required for weapons-grade uranium. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
Senior officials from IAEA member states are scheduled to convene from Monday to Friday at the watchdog's headquarters in Vienna. The conference agenda includes the approval of the agency’s budget and discussions on nuclear safeguards, particularly in the Middle East.