IAEA Board Briefed on Ukraine, Iran, Nuclear Ties

Director General Grossi's introductory remarks to the board also addressed nuclear safety in Ukraine and Iran, safeguards implementation and the impact of the IAEA's flagship initiatives. Read the full statement here .

The Director General highlighted the IAEA's ongoing presence in Ukraine, where more than 180 IAEA staff have been deployed since the start of the conflict to help maintain nuclear safety and security.

One concern remains the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where the loss of reliable off-site power remains a concern. Following damage to the Dniprovska power line earlier this year, the plant relied on a single backup connection for several months.

The Director General reported that the IAEA recently helped broker a sixth local ceasefire to allow repair work on the damaged power line and is now monitoring mine-clearing activities to help maintain safe access to the site. He also noted a recent drone strike that damaged part of a turbine building at the plant.

At other nuclear facilities - Khmelnytskyy, Rivne, South Ukraine and Chornobyl - IAEA teams have reported frequent military activity, including drone incursions close to sites and repeated air raid alarms. At the Chornobyl site, emergency systems have been activated on several occasions.

On Sunday, a drone struck the central spent fuel storage facility located in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, causing significant structural damage to part of the fuel reception building, including the IAEA safeguards office. The Director General indicated that - fortunately - radiation levels at the facility remained normal.

"Attacking a facility with large amounts of nuclear material is extremely dangerous. It must not happen," he said, urging Member States to adhere to the IAEA's Five Concrete Principles and Seven Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security.

he Director General also updated the Board on developments related to Iran, including the impact of regional conflict on nuclear safety and safeguards activities.

Mr Grossi recently visited 4 countries across the Gulf region to strengthen nuclear safety and cooperation and reiterate the IAEA's readiness to provide support. He also briefed the Board on a drone strike on 17 May which damaged an electrical installation at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. When in the UAE, he visited the plant to speak to personnel and reviewed emergency preparedness arrangements. The IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre remains operational around the clock, with experts ready to support countries in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency.

"Nuclear safety is fundamental and applicable to all, without exception," Mr Grossi said. "An attack on any facility, wherever it is located, is unacceptable."

On safeguards implementation in Iran, he noted that it has now been almost one year that the IAEA has had no access to the declared nuclear facilities affected by the military attacks of June 2025. The IAEA was, however, able to resume some in-field verification activity in Iran last week, when it conducted a routine inspection at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. He called on Iran to engage constructively with the Agency and reiterated his support for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

"I reiterate my full support of the negotiations underway aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution to these issues," he said.

Mr Grossi highlighted the growing impact of the Agency's flagship initiatives.

Through Rays of Hope , countries across Africa are expanding access to cancer care, including the opening of Malawi's first public radiotherapy facility and new or expanded services in several other countries.

The Atoms4Food initiative, implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has expanded to 43 participating countries and completed assessment missions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Progress was also reported under the NUTEC Plastics and ZODIAC initiatives. The IAEA will deliver additional diagnostic equipment to support safe and accurate detection of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Programme has enabled 860 women from 135 countries to complete master's degrees in nuclear-related fields, while the Lise Meitner Programme has provided hands-on professional experience to more than 100 women.

DG Grossi also briefed the board on the Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) , a new initiative that will support the maritime industry's exploration of SMRs to power civilian ships and to provide offshore energy, as operators consider alternative fuels and seek to strengthen long-term energy security. ATLAS will be unveiled at an IAEA Ministerial level event hosted by the United States in Washington DC on August 26-27.

International Cooperation and Nuclear Energy Development

The Director General highlighted growing international momentum in nuclear energy and its role in supporting economic development, energy security and emerging technologies. He informed the board of his attendance to the Nuclear Energy Summit in France where global leaders affirm central role of nuclear energy.

During recent visits to Rwanda and Kenya , Mr Grossi also reaffirmed the IAEA's support for African countries seeking to expand the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

The Director General reported continued progress in strengthening the global safeguards system. The Safeguards Implementation Report for 2025 shows that safeguards were applied for 190 States with safeguards agreements in force with the IAEA.

The IAEA's Annual Report for 2025 was also submitted to the Board, and showcases the Agency's work to support nuclear safety, security and to verify that nuclear material remains in peaceful use, amid increasing geopolitical challenges.

DG Grossi also briefed the board on the technical cooperation programme supported 151 countries and territories in 2025, including 36 least developed countries. Nearly 80% of activities focused on health and nutrition, food and agriculture, safety and security, and nuclear knowledge development. The programme achieved a 99.6% rate of attainment, the highest on record, reflecting strong demand for IAEA support and the value countries place on nuclear science and technology.

He reaffirmed the IAEA's commitment to independent monitoring of the discharge of ALPS -treated water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, noting that tritium levels continue to remain consistent with international safety standards.

Mr Grossi stressed the importance of international cooperation in ensuring that nuclear technology continues to support peace and development.