IAEA Chief Warns Nuclear Arms Race Is His 'Worst Fear'
Rafael Grossi says world with 20+ nuclear weapon states would be 'extremely dangerous'
Quick Look
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has called a potential nuclear arms race his 'worst fear,' warning that a world with 20 or more nuclear weapon states would be extremely dangerous.
- In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he expressed concern over 'friendly proliferation' and noted public discussions in several European, Asia Minor, and Far East countries about potential nuclear arms possession.
- He emphasized the fragility of the current nuclear nonproliferation regime and called for efforts to prevent its collapse.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The nuclear nonproliferation regime has been under increasing pressure with tensions between nuclear powers and concerns about countries seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The IAEA has repeatedly warned about proliferation risks.
LONDON, April 20. /TASS/. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has called a potential nuclear arms race his "worst fear." "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 said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. He said that a potential nuclear arms race is his "worst fear." "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," he noted. He emphasized that there is a public discussion in several countries in Europe, Asia Minor, and the Far East about the potential possession of nuclear arms, and called for efforts to prevent the collapse of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
More countries may publicly announce intentions to develop nuclear weapons in the coming months
Possible · Within months
International pressure on IAEA to strengthen monitoring will increase
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Which specific countries are having public discussions about nuclear arms possession
- What specific measures the IAEA plans to take to prevent proliferation
- How friendly proliferation differs from traditional proliferation
