IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi at the UN Security Council. IAEA chief: Zaporizhzhya NPP under direct attack for first time in 18 months Peace and security
The head of the UN Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi told the annual meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna that “for the first time in a long time” during the reporting period, “direct attacks” were carried out on the Zaporizhzhya NPP, which, according to him, is an “extremely serious” incident.
Grossi explained that the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was subjected to direct attacks for the first time in almost a year and a half. Thus, according to him, the first of the five principles for protecting the Zaporozhye NPP, which the head of the IAEA outlined to the Board of Directors a year ago, was violated. “These attacks and the frequent shutdown of power lines outside the station due to hostilities create a serious situation,” Grossi emphasized.
According to the head of the agency, the latest attacks on the Zaporizhzhya NPP indicate an “unstable and extremely fragile situation” around the plant. He noted that the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission will “continue to engage with all parties at the technical level to ensure that no nuclear accident with radiological consequences occurs at the plant.”
Last week, the head of the IAEA visited Kaliningrad, and will soon meet with Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
Iran’s Nuclear Program
Touching on the topic of Iran’s nuclear program, Rafael Mariano Grossi reported that the country’s stockpiles of enriched uranium continue to grow, including uranium enriched up to 60 percent. According to the Director General, the IAEA “has lost continuity of knowledge regarding the production and stockpiles of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate” since it lost additional access to Iranian nuclear facilities more than three years ago.
Development of the DPRK nuclear program
At the same time, the IAEA continues to closely monitor the development of the nuclear program of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In particular, the agency observed the discharge of warm water from the cooling system of the light water reactor in Yongbyon. According to Grossi, there are signs of reactor operation and a uranium enrichment facility there. In late February 2024, work began on the construction of an extension to the main building of the complex in Kangson. The Punggye-ri nuclear test site is preparing for a new nuclear test, which the IAEA chief says would violate UN Security Council resolutions.