The general director of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned about the “worsening” of the atomic risk as a result of the increase in geopolitical tensions and the global nuclear arms race. In that sense, he expressed that “some powers are increasing their arsenals”.
“While it is not advisable to dramatize or sow panic, it is true that We are not moving away from a nuclear conflict: perhaps we are getting closer“Grassi indicated in dialogue with the newspaper The Universal of Mexico. His remarks took place in the midst of the main sources of nuclear tension, such as the war in Ukraine and the confrontations in the Middle East, seeming to worsen.
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Likewise, he referred to the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe and located in Ukraine, where the IAEA maintains a permanent mission, and stated that there was “a worsening” of the “risk” of an atomic accident. Added to this, nuclear threats are replicated internationallyl, crisis increased by the war between Israel and Hamas in Palestine, as well as the clashes between Israeli forces and Iran.
In this regard, the director of the organization confirmed that The major nuclear powers resumed an arms race unprecedented in recent decades.. “The powers that possess nuclear weapons are, in some cases, numerically increasing their arsenals,” he said, in a trend that has not been observed for a long time.
Rafael Grossi pointed out that countries with nuclear weapons are “numerically increasing their arsenals.”
As a result, the IAEA strives to prevent more countries from joining the nuclear race, as was the case with North Korea. “We are seeing more nuclear weapons and more countries evaluating the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons. We evaluate the international situation as extremely delicate.“, he claimed.
However, despite the daunting challenges, Grossi emphasized the agency’s active role in mitigating nuclear risks. “Not only to be commentators or observers of reality, but to try to modify it with the mandate we have,” he declared. In that line, The organization maintains a constant dialogue with the parties in conflict and a permanent presence in Zaporizhzhia to avoid inadvertent escalations.
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Although Grossi recognized that finding the political will necessary to avert a nuclear catastrophe is complexor “search for a hard-to-find treasure”insisted that “it is worth looking for it and never giving up the effort,” even when it seems that you are taking two steps forward and five steps back.
About, highlighted the importance of the voice of Latin America, a region that he described as “a continent of peace.” In that sense, the first Latin American to head the IAEA expressed that he feels “very accompanied” by the countries of the region and that he permanently embodies that “vision” of peace.
In addition, reaffirmed his commitment to the search for world peace. “I wake up thinking what I am going to do in pursuit of that goal,” she expressed, while ensuring that she goes to sleep with the same thought. “It’s something that accompanies you from morning to night,” she summarized.
Concern about Iran, close to being able to weaponize a nuclear bomb
One particular case that Rossi warned about in recent days is Iran, a country that is close to possessing enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb. According to the director general of the IAEA, The Islamic Republic is “weeks, rather than months” away from achieving this capacity.
This is a development that has generated international concern about Tehran’s nuclear intentions. In that sense, Ali Akbar Salehiformer head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, escalated tensions by stating that They have “everything necessary” to assemble a nuclear weapon “in our hands.”
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At the end of December, the IAEA reported that Iran had increased its accumulation of enriched uranium to 60%, being that 90% is needed to reach weapons grade. This fact generated concern within the international community, increasing scrutiny of Iranian nuclear activities and their possible implications for regional and global stability. “I have been telling my Iranian counterparts over and over again… this activity draws attention,” Grossi said, highlighting the lack of access and visibility about the Iranian nuclear program.
The diplomat maintained that The situation is worsened by Tehran’s lack of transparency regarding its nuclear program. “The Islamic Republic is ‘presenting a face that is not entirely transparent’ with regard to its nuclear activities,” he said, while highlighting that this opacity increases the risks associated with nuclear proliferation.
MB / ED