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STORY: IAEA / GROSSI BOARD OF GOVERNORS
TRT: 07:27
SOURCE: IAEA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 02 MARCH 2026, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
1. Wide shot, Rafael Mariano Grossi starting the meeting
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“All of us have been following with concern the military attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in the Middle East. The Agency immediately responded in accordance with our mandate by focusing on possible radiological emergencies derived from the military operations. The IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre is in operation with a dedicated team collecting information and assessing the situation while bearing in mind limitations in communications caused by the situation. The Regional Safety Monitoring Network has been put on alert and is liaising with us continuously. So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran.”
7. Various shots, conference room, Iranian representative
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“Regarding the status of the nuclear installations in Iran, up to now we have no indication that any of the nuclear installations, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor, or other nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been damaged or hit. Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through the IEC continue with no response so far. We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible.”
9. Various shots, conference room, Israeli and Iranian representatives
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“The IAEA has extensive knowledge of the nature and location of nuclear and radiological material in the region, and we have clear guidance for actions necessary in case of an attack or an accident causing a radiological release as well as the ability for hands on help if it is required. Let me underline that the situation today is very concerning. We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large or larger than major cities.”
11. Various shots, conference room, the United States seat, Russian representative
12 . SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“Of course, another important area of also of great concern is Ukraine, and you have our reports in front of you as well as the updates that we are constantly presenting for your consideration and evaluation. One important element is that we have been able in conjunction with the Ukrainian and Russian relevant authorities, We have been able to agree on the fifth cease fire, which is extremely important because this is allowing us already to perform the repairs on the Ferroz Plavna line, the three thirty kilowatt line, which is one of the two main remaining lines that are ensuring the safety of operations at coal shutdown of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. So, I thank both Russia and Ukraine for their constructive participation and allowing this to proceed in spite, of course, of the ongoing nature of the conflict, which we all regret, but this is another matter and another discussion.”
13. Various shots, conference room, Russian representative
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“I want to also say that we continue to evaluate the stress on the Ukrainian grid within the specific context and parameters of nuclear safety as this has a bearing on the normal operation of the three remaining nuclear power plants, which, of course, are providing Ukraine with most of the energy it is using at this point. Next month, in terms of nuclear safety, will mark the fortieth anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. I expect to be there with the Ukrainian authorities. Probably, President Zelenskyy will be there. As you know, as a result of the of the war, the new safe safety containment, which was built great effort and at great expense, is damaged. And so, the isolation capacity that this should have, it's also has also suffered, which means that important repairs will have to be done. We are already working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, to ensure that this is going to happen at the shortest possible delay.”
15. Wide shot, Rafael Mariano Grossi entering the press briefing room
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
“Our assessment of what the situation was and is when it comes to the Iranian nuclear program is very clear and has been in my reports throughout. So this is my evaluation. It's an evaluation that is based on the fact that Iran has a very big ambitious nuclear program that we do not have the accesses that we should have. At the same time, I have said, I said it last year before the June twelve day war, we don't see a structured program to manufacture nuclear weapons. So that is the assessment of the agency.”
17. Wide shot, Rafael Mariano Grossi leaving the press briefing room
"So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran," International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, as the agency monitored the fallout from military strikes on Iran.
Addressing the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna today (2 Mar), Grossi said the agency had mobilised immediately following the attacks. "The IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre is in operation with a dedicated team collecting information and assessing the situation while bearing in mind limitations in communications caused by the situation," he said, adding that the Regional Safety Monitoring Network had been placed on alert and was liaising with the agency continuously.
On the status of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Grossi said there was no indication that any nuclear installations had been struck, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor, or other fuel cycle facilities. He said efforts to reach Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through the IEC had so far gone unanswered. "We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible," he said.
Grossi sought to clarify the nature of the communications lapse, explaining that the disrupted contact referred specifically to technical, radiological coordination channels — not diplomatic lines. The communication in question is that which the agency's incident and emergency centre normally maintains with a designated point of contact in each member state, covering issues such as atmospheric radiation levels. Grossi stressed that broader contact with Iran had not been severed, noting he maintained cordial relations with the Iranian ambassador and authorities in Tehran. He acknowledged, however, that the ongoing situation could have an impact on how that process develops going forward.
Grossi also urged against complacency, "we cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large or larger than major cities," he said, noting the IAEA holds detailed knowledge of nuclear and radiological material locations across the region and has guidance and capacity for hands-on assistance if needed.
Turning to Ukraine, Grossi said the agency had brokered a fifth ceasefire agreement with Kyiv and Moscow, enabling repairs to a key 330-kilowatt transmission line — one of two main lines ensuring safe operations at the shut-down Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. "I thank both Russia and Ukraine for their constructive participation and allowing this to proceed," he said.
He added that the agency was monitoring stress on Ukraine's wider power grid in the context of nuclear safety, given that the country's three remaining nuclear plants supply the majority of its electricity. Looking ahead, Grossi said he expected to attend commemorations next month marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, where he noted that the protective containment structure, built at considerable cost, had sustained damage due to the war. He said the IAEA was working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to ensure repairs are carried out as quickly as possible.
Briefing the journalists after the meetings on Iran's nuclear programme, Grossi reiterated a pointed assessment: "Iran has a very big ambitious nuclear program that we do not have the accesses that we should have," he said, while emphasizing that the agency does not see "a structured program to manufacture nuclear weapons."
