Iran's newly-elected president has reappointed a U.S.-educated official, Mohammad Eslami, to head the country's nuclear department, as reported by state TV. Eslami, 67, will continue to lead Iran's civilian nuclear program and serve as one of several vice presidents. This decision comes amidst Iran facing heavy sanctions from the West following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal that aimed to curb Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had pledged to revive the nuclear deal during his campaign, made the decision to retain Eslami in his position. Eslami was previously sanctioned by the United Nations in 2008 for his involvement in Iran's sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems while heading Iran's Defense Industries Training and Research Institute.
