IAEA: We are working to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting was held at the United Nations (UN) Office in Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Following the meeting, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi answered questions from journalists.

"IRRESPONSIBILITY IS UNACCEPTABLE"

Responding to a question about whether Israel's unmonitored nuclear activities and uncontrolled nuclear weapons would further complicate the situation in the Middle East, Grossi expressed his concern over developments in the region and reiterated that "irresponsible talk about the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable."

Grossi stated that the threat to use nuclear weapons against Gaza made by Israel's far-right Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu in November 2023 had a domino effect in the region, and expressed that such rhetoric must end.

"The Agency is striving for the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the region. Irresponsible talk about the use of nuclear weapons has spread to other countries as well," Grossi said, noting that nuclear weapons are prohibited under international law.

IRAN'S NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES

Addressing Iran's nuclear activities, Grossi said that the country's stockpile of enriched uranium continues to increase, that the Tehran administration has not implemented the Additional Protocol for nearly 3 years, and that the Agency has been unable to provide complementary access during this period.

Stating that Iran must implement the practice known as Code 3.1 under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Grossi said this situation must be resolved for the Agency to be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

Grossi assessed that "public statements regarding Iran's technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons further increase my concerns regarding the accuracy and completeness of Iran's declarations concerning safeguards."

Noting that Iran's cessation of the implementation of decisions taken in the Joint Statement made with the IAEA on March 4, 2023, has caused serious concern, Grossi shared the view that "This also raises doubts about whether Iran is adhering to what we agreed upon."

Grossi stated that he wishes to meet with Iranian officials and will act upon an invitation from Tehran, noting that these concerns can only be resolved through constructive and meaningful cooperation; in this context, he once again called on Iran to cooperate fully and transparently.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN UKRAINE

Stating that the unstable situation regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine continues, Grossi expressed that clashes around the nuclear plant have increased in recent weeks.

Grossi pointed out that the parties are paying attention to the 5 basic principles he previously announced at the UN General Assembly to prevent a possible nuclear accident, but that steps that could jeopardize some of these principles are taken from time to time.

Noting that Agency experts continue their work there to ensure nuclear safety and are trying to take the necessary precautions against a possible danger, Grossi stated, however, that the team there cannot access every point of the plant within the scope of the checks they carry out regarding nuclear safety.

Grossi noted that he will pay a visit to Moscow tomorrow with the approval of Russian officials, and in this context, he will hold high-level talks on nuclear safety, primarily regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.