The Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) dates again to 1957 and was arrange in response to world fears following the primary use of nuclear and atomic weapons and alarm over the appearance and unfold of nuclear know-how. An autonomous a part of the United Nations system, it really works on points as diverse as meals security, most cancers management and sustainable improvement – and in addition on selling peaceable makes use of of nuclear power.
One other principal duty, maybe much less nicely understood, is the company’s framework of nuclear ‘safeguards’ agreements. These agreements are voluntarily entered into by nations and are key to stopping the unfold of nuclear weapons by independently verifying whether or not countries are assembly their non-proliferation commitments. As of 2024, some 182 nations have safeguards agreements with the IAEA.
IAEA Director Normal Rafael Mariano Grossi delivers remarks on the navy motion launched by Israel which incorporates assaults on nuclear services in Iran.
In a June 9 address to the company’s board, IAEA Director Normal Rafael Grossi laid out troubling findings, elevating contemporary considerations about Iran’s compliance with world nuclear agreements.
“Iran has repeatedly both not answered” IAEA requests “or not offered technically credible solutions,” Mr. Grossi informed the 35-nation board on Monday. Moreover, he stated, Iran has sought to “sanitise the places,” which the company has now concluded have been a part of a “structured” nuclear programme within the early 2000s.
“Except and till Iran assists the company in resolving the excellent safeguards points, the Company won’t be able to supply assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is completely peaceable,” he stated.
Mr. Grossi expressed alarm on the fast accumulation of over 400 kilogrammes of extremely enriched uranium, which has critical implications (extremely enriched uranium is without doubt one of the mandatory parts for the creation of a nuclear bomb).
The assertion to the board underlined the numerous position the IAEA performs in Iran, which could be damaged down into 4 fundamental areas.
1. Monitoring
The company makes use of safeguard agreements underneath the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a key worldwide accord designed to forestall the unfold of nuclear weapons. The vast majority of safeguards agreements are these which were concluded by the IAEA with non-nuclear-weapon States. Nonetheless, safeguards are carried out in three States that aren’t social gathering to the NPT – India, Pakistan and Israel – on the idea of item-specific agreements they’ve concluded with the IAEA.
As a non-nuclear armed signatory to the treaty, Iran is banned from buying nuclear weapons and is required to permit the IAEA to examine and confirm all nuclear supplies and actions, together with at brief discover, if requested.
The company recurrently inspects Iran’s nuclear services, together with websites like Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. The intention is to make sure that nuclear supplies are solely used for peaceable means and are usually not diverted for weapons use.
On 9 June, Mr. Grossi famous that man-made uranium particles had been discovered at three extra, undeclared websites (Varamin, Marivan and Turquzabad). Iran, he stated, had failed to supply “technically credible explanations” for the presence of the particles, regardless of years of consultations.
Rafael Grossi (on display screen), Director Normal of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA), briefs the UN Safety Council assembly on Iran.
2. Reporting
The company recurrently studies to its Board of Governors on the nuclear actions of Iran (and different nations), utilizing strategies equivalent to inspections, monitoring tools, environmental sampling, and satellite tv for pc imagery to collect knowledge and put together technical studies. Within the case of nations underneath particular scrutiny – equivalent to Iran – these studies are sometimes issued each quarter.
If Iran – or any non-nuclear weapon nation social gathering to the NPT – fails to adjust to the IAEA’s necessities (for instance, by limiting entry or not explaining the presence of uranium particles), the company can report Iran to the UN Security Council, which can result in diplomatic stress, sanctions or requires additional negotiations.
IAEA Director Normal Rafael Grossi (2nd left) visiting the Natanz and Fordow nuclear services.
3. Diplomatic engagement
The IAEA steadily requires diplomatic options and emphasises the significance of dialogue to resolve considerations about Iran’s nuclear intentions. Director Normal Grossi has engaged instantly with Iranian authorities and worldwide stakeholders to keep up communication and transparency.
Addressing the Safety Council on June 13, Mr. Grossi said that his company was in fixed contact with the Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority to evaluate the standing of affected services and decide broader impacts on nuclear security and safety.
4. Security and safety oversight
This can be a crucial a part of the IAEA’s broader mission to forestall nuclear accidents, be sure that nuclear power is used for peaceable functions, and shield individuals and the surroundings.
The IAEA works with the Iranian authorities to make sure that nuclear services like Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan function safely, by assessing the design and operation of the services, monitoring radiation safety measures, and evaluating emergency preparedness.
After the June 2025 Israeli strikes, the IAEA confirmed that Natanz had been impacted however reported no elevated radiation ranges. Nonetheless, it emphasised that any navy assault on nuclear services is a violation of worldwide regulation and poses critical dangers to security and the surroundings.
