Latest news with #Grossi
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Chief Contradicts Trump's ‘Total Obliteration' Claim On Iran
Rafael Grossi, the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, disputed President Donald Trump's assessment that Iran's missile sites were 'totally obliterated' by U.S. airstrikes earlier this month. In an interview with CBS' 'Face the Nation' broadcast on Sunday, Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said intelligence shows that Iran could have 'in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that.' Still, Grossi noted that the U.S. operation targeting three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — did have an impact, but perhaps not one as decisive as Trump has suggested. 'It is clear that there has been severe damage, but it's not total damage,' he added. 'Iran has the capacities there; industrial and technological capacities. So if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again.' The White House has so far not addressed Grossi's comments. The president told Americans that 'Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated' by U.S. airstrikes launched on June 21 amid Tehran's 12-day war with Israel. He has since lashed out at journalists who reported on a preliminary U.S. analysis showing the strikes would merely delay Iran's nuclear program by months, threatening lawsuits against both CNN and The New York Times for reporting on the Pentagon report. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has since claimed Iran's nuclear program was 'severely damaged,' citing what he described as a 'body of credible intelligence.' Meanwhile, Grossi said it's possible that Iran may have moved some of its enriched uranium prior to this month's U.S. attack, stressing the need for transparency and nuclear inspectors to be allowed to resume their work in the country. 'Some could have been destroyed as part of the attack, but some could have been moved,' Grossi said. 'So there has to be, at some point, a clarification. If we don't get that clarification, this will continue to be hanging, you know, over our heads as a potential problem.' Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly answer a question on whether the U.S. believed Iran had moved its enriched uranium ahead of the airstrikes. 'We're looking at all aspects of intelligence and making sure we have a sense of what was where,' he said after lashing out at the Fox News reporter who asked for clarity on the issue. While Grossi stressed the importance of striking a diplomatic solution on Iran's nuclear program, Trump said he is not currently talking to the country's representatives since the June 21 operation in a post on his Truth Social platform early Monday. Iran Releases Death Toll Of Israel's Evin Prison Attack As Officials Remain Suspicious Of Ceasefire Senate Votes Not To Rein In Trump's War Powers After Iran Strikes Senators Diverge Sharply On Damage Done By Iran Strikes After Classified Briefing
News18
14-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Ex-Iran Official Warns "Drones Could Hit Europe" as Tehran Blames IAEA of Disclosing Classified Data
A senior Iranian lawmaker accused IAEA inspectors of espionage, claiming they smuggled microchips into nuclear sites. He also accused IAEA chief Grossi of leaking nuclear data. Iran warned of possible drone attacks on Europe after its war with Israel. Reports say Pakistan and Turkey warned Iran about Israel's strikes. Tehran condemned Israel's aggression as a violation of international law, citing civilian and environmental damage. President Pezeshkian praised national unity and military strength, urging peace and investment in Iran's energy sector. 00:00 - INTRODUCTION02:45 - PAKISTAN WARNED IRAN OF ISRAEL'S 'RISING LION' OPERATION06:06 - IRAN PRESIDENT LAUDS NATIONAL UNITY AMID ISRAELI WARn18oc_world n18oc_crux
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin's ‘ENEMY NO. 1' Can Build Nuclear Bomb Within Months: IAEA Boss Drops Germany Bombshell
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has revealed that Germany could develop nuclear weapons within months if it chose to, thanks to its access to materials and advanced technology. Though he emphasized the scenario is hypothetical, Grossi's comments arrive amid heightened global tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Germany is also facing internal pressure to rethink its defense posture, with officials like Jens Spahn calling for greater nuclear independence. Meanwhile, Russia denies posing any threat, accusing NATO of fear-based politics. The nuclear debate in Europe appears to be reawakening.#GERMANY #iaea #grossi #nuclearweapons #npt #NuclearProgram Read More
Business Insider
07-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Africa's nuclear power projects attract renewed interest from international investors
Amid rising energy demands and a global push for low-carbon solutions, Africa's long-stalled nuclear power ambitions are gaining fresh momentum. Africa's nuclear energy ambitions are regaining interest amidst rising energy demands and a global move towards low-carbon solutions. The IAEA pledged support for African nations to establish safe and sustainable nuclear power programs. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and microreactors are seen as promising technologies for Africa's energy transition. International investors and development partners are showing renewed interest in funding nuclear power infrastructure across Africa, viewing it as a viable path to energy security, industrial growth, and climate resilience. As the continent faces rising energy deficits and the urgent need to transition to cleaner, more sustainable sources, nuclear power—particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Micro Reactors (MRs)—is emerging as a promising option. However, financing remains a major hurdle to its widespread adoption. At the Africa Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda, convened policymakers, investors, and energy experts to discuss nuclear power's role in Africa's energy transition, with a central focus on financing and local capacity building. The summit also highlighted the need to address the skills gap, with the AFCFTA's protocol on the free movement of people identified as a strategic tool for fostering cross-border education and training in nuclear science. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, reaffirmed the agency's commitment to supporting African countries in developing peaceful nuclear energy programs. He stressed that Africa's full integration into the global transition to low-emission energy is crucial, stating, " There is nothing preventing Africa from claiming its place" in the global energy landscape." Grossi emphasized Africa's potential as a key player in the future of global energy, highlighting that clean and reliable energy is "no longer a luxury but a pressing necessity" for the continent. While acknowledging that nuclear power may not be suitable for every country, he stressed that a low-carbon global economy would be "impossible without it." He also pointed to growing interest in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), microreactors, and traditional nuclear technologies. He added that The IAEA is ready to work 'hand in hand with Africa on its journey toward a safe and sustainable nuclear future.' Rwanda's Minister of State for Public Investments, Tesi Rusagara, urged African nations to tap into domestic capital markets, citing that the continent's historical reliance on external concessional financing is declining, necessitating a strategic shift towards leveraging domestic and regional financial resources. Africa's Nuclear Financing Gap Widens Meanwhile, Africa faces a significant annual infrastructure financing gap of $100 billion, according to the African Development Bank. This challenge is exacerbated by a global climate of development finance pessimism, with projected declines in official development assistance. However, Stéphane Ouedraogo, Managing Partner at Stallion Capital Africa, noted that institutions like the World Bank are increasingly open to financing nuclear projects, bringing not only capital but also credibility and risk mitigation. As countries like Kenya and Rwanda explore Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Africa's nuclear momentum is gaining traction. Realizing this potential will require coordinated financing strategies, policy support, and investment in local expertise, and crucial steps toward achieving sustainable, low-carbon energy on the continent.
The Print
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
IAEA pulls inspectors from Iran as standoff over access drags on
Iran's parliament has now passed a law to suspend cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of its nuclear facilities can be guaranteed. While the IAEA says Iran has not yet formally informed it of any suspension, it is unclear when the agency's inspectors will be able to return to Iran. Israel launched its first military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic three weeks ago. The International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors have not been able to inspect Iran's facilities since then, even though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said that is his top priority. By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) -The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday it had pulled its last remaining inspectors from Iran as a standoff over their return to the country's nuclear facilities bombed by the United States and Israel deepens. 'An IAEA team of inspectors today safely departed from Iran to return to the Agency headquarters in Vienna, after staying in Tehran throughout the recent military conflict,' the IAEA said on X. Diplomats said the number of IAEA inspectors in Iran was reduced to a handful after the June 13 start of the war. Some have also expressed concern about the inspectors' safety since the end of the conflict, given fierce criticism of the agency by Iranian officials and Iranian media. Iran has accused the agency of effectively paving the way for the bombings by issuing a damning report on May 31 that led to a resolution by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said he stands by the report. He has denied it provided diplomatic cover for military action. IAEA WANTS TALKS Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday Iran remained committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). '(Grossi) reiterated the crucial importance of the IAEA discussing with Iran modalities for resuming its indispensable monitoring and verification activities in Iran as soon as possible,' the IAEA said. The U.S. and Israeli military strikes either destroyed or badly damaged Iran's three uranium enrichment sites. But it was less clear what has happened to much of Iran's nine tonnes of enriched uranium, especially the more than 400 kg enriched to up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons grade. That is enough, if enriched further, for nine nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick. Iran says its aims are entirely peaceful but Western powers say there is no civil justification for enriching to such a high level, and the IAEA says no country has done so without developing the atom bomb. As a party to the NPT, Iran must account for its enriched uranium, which normally is closely monitored by the IAEA, the body that enforces the NPT and verifies countries' declarations. But the bombing of Iran's facilities has now muddied the waters. 'We cannot afford that …. the inspection regime is interrupted,' Grossi told a press conference in Vienna last week. (Additional reporting by Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Alex Richardson) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
