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STORY: IAEA / BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND PRESSER
TRT: 4:07
SOURCE: IAEA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 09 JUNE 2025, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Various shots, conference room
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Grossi, Director-General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“What is important to say is that we will continue to support and encourage Iran in this process, to continue our dialogue in spite of all the difficulties and the difference, which are clear. I think we must continue working together. We must get clarifications which are obviously shared by the international community at large. So these problems are not going to go away until we solve them.”
3. Various shots, conference room
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Grossi, Director-General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“Our work, of course, continues and the efforts on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea continue. And as you know, we have been providing more information of a program that is growing in every possible sense, not only with a serious concern when it comes to the noncompliance with numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions on the nuclear program, but also now I have been adding for quite some time, you have heard me say this, our concern about safety about nuclear safety on a program that is growing exponentially without the international community having any idea of how any standard is being applied to a program that is spawning in the way it is.”
5. Wide shot, conference room
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Grossi, Director-General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“This is the way to do things. This is the way to protect nuclear safety. Talking to all those involved. Excellent meetings with president Zelensky. I am extremely grateful for his understanding of the situation, of the agency and how we are trying to continue our efforts there. And not only in the perspective of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is, of course, very important for all of you, but also for the future reconstruction of the energy infrastructure in this country, which is so important.”
7. Various shots, conference room
8. Wide shot, Grossi walking to the podium
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Grossi, Director-General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“Here unfortunately and this dates to a few years ago, I would say, where unfortunately we could determine with all clarity that documents that belong to the agency were in the hands of Iranian authorities, which is bad. And this is part of our assessment on the cooperation. The board requested me to provide a comprehensive review on many things, including how they have cooperated. We believe that an action like this, is not compatible with the spirit of cooperation.”
10. Wide shot, Grossi speaking at the podium
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Grossi, Director-General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“What I requested from president Al-Sharaa, and he agreed and granted was an immediate access to, Marj as-Sultan, which is used to be a very important facility where uranium conversion processing and fuel fabrication for the reactor at Deir az Zor was taking place. So we were able to go there and and complete a very thorough process of sample taking in in every part of the of that facility. And this is going to be very, very helpful, in the determination of the kind of activities that were taking place there. And on the basis of this, we will see what's the next step will be.”
12. Wide shot, Grossi leaving the press encounter
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi determined “with all clarity” that documents that belong to his Agency were in the hands of Iranian authorities, stressing that it is “not compatible with the spirit of cooperation.”
The Director General today (09 Jun) addressed the Board of Governors emphasized the IAEA’s critical role in monitoring Iran’s nuclear programmer, citing unresolved issues related to undeclared nuclear material found at three locations. Grossi reported Iran’s lack of cooperation, hindering the IAEA’s ability to verify the peaceful nature of its programme. He reiterated the urgency of diplomatic solutions, backed by IAEA verification, and noted his continued engagement with Iran, the U.S., and regional stakeholders.
The IAEA’s safeguards report indicated compliance across 190 states but highlighted concerns about North Korea’s ongoing nuclear activities and the lack of progress in transparency.
Grossi announced renewed cooperation with Syria to resolve past non-proliferation issues, including new agreements to provide technical support in agriculture and health.
Asked about Syria later at a press conference, Gross said, “What I requested from president Al-Sharaa, and he agreed and granted was an immediate access to, Marj as-Sultan, which is used to be a very important facility where uranium conversion processing and fuel fabrication for the reactor at Deir az Zor was taking place. So we were able to go there and and complete a very thorough process of sample taking in in every part of the of that facility. And this is going to be very, very helpful, in the determination of the kind of activities that were taking place there. And on the basis of this, we will see what's the next step will be.”
Regarding Ukraine, Grossi reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to nuclear safety amid the ongoing conflict. He described the precarious conditions at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and recent damage to Chernobyl’s New Safe Confinement.
On nuclear energy, Grossi noted growing global interest, with 416 operating reactors and strong momentum for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe are advancing nuclear plans, with SMR initiatives gaining traction. The IAEA has launched an SMR School and plans further events, including a symposium on AI and nuclear energy.
