UN nuclear watchdog’s inspections chief quits

VIENNA: The chief of inspections at the UN nuclear watchdog has resigned suddenly, the agency said without giving a reason.

The departure of Tero Varjoranta

(pic) comes at a sensitive time, three days after the United States announced it was quitting world powers’ nuclear accord with Iran, raising questions as to whether Teheran will continue to comply with it.

Varjoranta, a Finn, had been a deputy director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and head of its Department of Safeguards, which verifies countries’ compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, since October 2013.

He will be replaced in an acting capacity by the head of the department’s Iran team, the Vienna-based IAEA said.

“Mr Tero Varjoranta has resigned effective 11 May 2018,” an IAEA spokesman said on Friday.

“The director general has appointed Mr Massimo Aparo, acting director, Office for Verification in Iran, as acting deputy director-general and head of the Department of Safeguards, effective immediately.”

The accord signed by Iran and major powers in 2015 imposed strict limits on Iran’s atomic activities to help ensure they are not put to developing nuclear bombs in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against Teheran.