The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi spoke to FRANCE 24 from Vienna and stated that his teams had not observed any Russian military deployment inside the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, despite Ukrainians authorities claiming that Moscow was preparing to attack the plant.
Turning to the Iranian nuclear issue, Grossi confirmed that stocks of enriched uranium were constantly increasing, which is a “rising concern”.
Speaking to FRANCE 24 from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, Grossi said that on June 15 he went to Zaporizhzhia. He said the situation is “serious” but stabilizing at the nuclear power plant after the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam, whose water was used to cool its six reactors.
“Initials measures were taken by the management of the plant to preserve the needed amount of water, but this will not be enough on the long term,” Grossi did warn.
The increase in military activity on the front line with the Ukrainian counter-offensive adds “an additional layer of concern over a situation which is extremely volatile because the plant is sitting on the front line” recalled Grossi.
In the context of combat, “the plant is incredibly fragile and open to damage in case of an exchange of fire” he added.
On June 22, President Volodymir Zelensky asserted that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia had made all the preparations for an attack on the power plant, which could cause a nuclear catastrophe.
Grossi asserted that he “didn’t see that kind of development” on the ground, but also added that “anything can happens, that is what worries me”.
Grossi also raised concern about Iran’s nuclear programme. According to his last report, Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has increased by more than a quarter in three months.
Nevertheless, “we agreed that Iran collaborates with the agency, limiting some activities, allowing us to add more monitoring capacities”
Negotiations for a rehabilitation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015, failed in September 2022 and US President Joe Biden‘s administration seems to favor an informal and unwritten agreement with Tehran.
Any discussion leading to de-escalation is welcomed, said Grossi.
“If there is any alternative kind of agreements, I hope we will be invited to verify that whatever commitments are taken are for real, and not just a piece of paper” he concluded.