Top UN nuclear watchdog inspector stands down

The UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday that its top investigator Olli Heinonen, head of probes into Iran and Syria, will leave his position for personal reasons after nearly 30 years at the Vienna-based agency.

The UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday that its top investigator Olli Heinonen, head of probes into Iran and Syria, will leave his position for personal reasons after nearly 30 years at the Vienna-based agency.

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Heinonen, 63, is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) safeguards department, tasked with verifying nations' nuclear programmes are not being diverted for military use.

"We confirm that Mr Heinonen informed the director general of his intention to resign as of the end of August for personal reasons," IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor said.