IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated the agency is prepared to verify any nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran, emphasizing verification as a crucial component. He also highlighted the continued importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty despite recent review conferences ending without consensus.
The IAEA's readiness to verify a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal signals a potential pathway toward de-escalation in the Middle East and reinforces the agency's critical role in global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. The continued relevance of the NPT underscores the framework for managing nuclear risks amid geopolitical uncertainty.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has indicated the agency's willingness to verify any potential nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that monitoring and verification would be central to its role. U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that a peace agreement with Iran was in "pretty final shape" and could be signed soon.
Grossi explained that if a deal is reached and the IAEA is asked to perform verification, he would need to seek permission from the agency's board. He suggested that any such agreement would likely be comprehensive and require extensive monitoring. The IAEA chief also defended the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), calling it a relatively successful and solid piece of international law, despite recent review conferences failing to reach a consensus outcome document.
Amid growing global challenges and a renewed interest in nuclear power for reliable, low-carbon energy, Grossi highlighted the IAEA's essential role in providing technical expertise and safety reviews. He noted that public trust in the IAEA's assessments is high, often exceeding trust in national governments. Grossi also briefly touched upon his potential candidacy for UN Secretary-General, stressing the need for effective multilateralism.