TEHRAN – Iran’s government has named a former envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog as new head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organisation after its head for 12 years resigned, Iranian media has reported.
The organisation leads a nuclear programme that has put Tehran at odds with the West, which fears it is aimed at making bombs. Tehran says it is for peaceful power purposes.
Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s former representative to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was named to replace Gholamreza Aghazadeh as head of the Atomic Energy Organisation at a cabinet meeting late on Thursday. “In the cabinet’s meeting on Thursday night Ali Akbar Salehi . . . was named the new head of the Atomic Energy Organisation,” the ISNA news agency said. Other media also carried the report.
The mild-mannered politician is in favour of resolving Iran’s nuclear row with the West through talks, an analyst said.
Mr Ahmadinejad has ruled out bowing to western pressure and halting nuclear work.
“Salehi’s appointment is a positive signal to the West. Salehi is a logical and soft-spoken person who is trusted by the IAEA,” said the analyst, who asked not to be named. – (Reuters)