Thursday, July 16, 2009

Iranian nuclear chief 'resigns'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8153775.stm

"The head of Iran's nuclear organisation, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, has resigned, according to the Isna news agency.

The report said the nuclear chief had submitted a letter of resignation to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad nearly three weeks ago.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the resignation.

Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, denying Western claims that it wants a nuclear bomb.

Mr Aghazadeh also stepped down as the country's vice-president, Isna reported.

Correspondents say Mr Aghazadeh is a veteran official who served as oil minister before taking up his post at the atomic organisation under former President Mohammad Khatami."