Head of Iran’s atomic program re-appointed

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has
re-appointed Gholamreza Aghazadeh as head of the country’s
nuclear program, state media reported on Tuesday.

Aghazadeh who has led Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization
since 1997, backed Ahmadinejad’s chief rival in June’s
presidential election, leading some analysts to predict he
would be replaced.

Oil Minister of the OPEC heavyweight from 1985 to 1997,
Aghazadeh is credited with advancing Iran’s atomic program —
which Tehran insists is purely for peaceful purposes — despite
sanctions which forced it to turn to black market suppliers.