UN nuclear watchdog's inspections chief quits suddenly
VIENNA - The chief of inspections at the UN nuclear watchdog has resigned suddenly, the agency said on Friday without giving a reason.
The departure of Tero Varjoranta 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 Tehran 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.
"Mr Tero Varjoranta has resigned effective 11 May 2018," an IAEA spokesman said. "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."
