The chief inspector of the UN’s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resigned Friday, a spokesperson for the agency said. No reason was given for Tero Varjoranta’s sudden departure, which comes days after US President Donald Trump took the US out of the deal between Iran and world powers over its nuclear programme. The IAEA conducts inspections in Iran to verify compliance with the terms of the deal. "The Agency’s safeguards activities will continue to be carried out in a highly professional manner," the spokesperson said. Varjoranta, who had been in post since late 2013, has been replaced on a temporary basis by Massimo Aparo, the acting director of the Agency’s Office for Verification in Iran. Varjoranta is Finnish and had previously served as head of Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. A permanent replacement will be appointed as soon as possible, the IAEA spokesperson said. US officials have said that despite the US’s withdrawal from the I...
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