Iran's Rouhani Scraps Austria Trip as Nations Differ on Reasons
- Austria says Iranian leader cited security concerns for move
- Austrian newspaper cites Iranian call for ban on protests
This article is for subscribers only.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani unexpectedly canceled a state visit to Austria this week citing security reasons, according to an official Austrian government statement. Iran said the decision was reached mutually to allow for better preparation.
Rouhani had been scheduled to meet Austrian President Heinz Fischer and other Austrian leaders on Wednesday and Thursday in only his second visit as president to Europe, after he traveled to Rome and Paris in January. Fischer said he regretted the cancellation.