Worried by hits on Iran nuclear sites, must never happen again: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi

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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi has warned that the risk of a new global nuclear arms race is his "worst fear," as the agency's ability to verify Iran's nuclear program faces continued disruption. In recent interviews, Grossi expressed alarm over what he described as a fragile non-proliferation system, with discussions about nuclear weapons gaining ground in several countries.

Coverage comparison

The Jerusalem Post reported that Grossi's comments come as the IAEA's cooperation with Iran has again been disrupted amid renewed conflict in the region. The agency said it has not been able to access several key Iranian nuclear facilities following strikes during the 12-day war in June 2025, including sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

Grossi told Frontline that Iran's lack of cooperation "led us to a place or a position where we lost the necessary continuity of knowledge to be able to confirm that everything in Iran was in peaceful use." The Jerusalem Post also quoted Grossi as saying that "Iran had not been giving—for quite some time—the access to places."

The South China Morning Post highlighted Grossi's concern about the shifting tenor of nuclear debate in East Asia, particularly in South Korea and Japan—countries that have long defined themselves by the weapons they do not possess. The outlet reported that a majority of South Koreans tell pollsters they want the bomb, and that the debate, long simmering, has "come to a roiling boil." The article quoted Grossi outlining his "worst fear": a new global nuclear arms race.

TASS — English quoted Grossi as saying, "There is talk about 'friendly proliferation'. There are all these things which fill me with concern because I believe that a world with 20 nuclear weapon states or more would be extremely dangerous." He added, "At some point, we are going to see a crack in the system. And then we'll have a domino [effect]. It is a very, very fragile position." TASS also reported Grossi's emphasis on public discussion in several countries in Europe, Asia Minor, and the Far East about the potential possession of nuclear arms, and his call for efforts to prevent the collapse of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The Hindu — World reported on an exclusive interview with Grossi in which he said that attacks like the one by the U.S. and Israel on Iran's Bushehr nuclear site must never happen again, and that the world needs to discuss avoiding a moment where nuclear weapons, even in a limited way, would be used. The outlet also reported that Grossi welcomed the news of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. In the same interview, Grossi, who is running for UN Secretary General this year, said UNSC reform is possible and that India has a "legitimate" claim to a seat.

Key claims

• IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi's worst fear is a new global nuclear arms race, as reported by the South China Morning Post and TASS — English.
• A majority of South Koreans want the bomb, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
• The debate about nuclear weapons in South Korea and Japan has come to a roiling boil, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
• Iran's lack of cooperation with the IAEA has disrupted the agency's cooperation with Iran, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
• There is a public discussion in several countries about the potential possession of nuclear arms, as reported by TASS — English.
• Grossi has described safeguards as an essential component of efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
• The IAEA has not been able to access several key Iranian nuclear facilities following strikes during the 12-day war in June 2025, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
• Grossi welcomes the news of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, as reported by The Hindu — World.
• Grossi says UNSC reform is possible, and that India has a legitimate claim to a seat, as reported by The Hindu — World.