Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned that any nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States would be meaningless without UN oversight.
“Without verification, any agreement is no agreement. It’s an illusion of an agreement,” he told The Telegraph, stressing that the IAEA is “the only” body capable of ensuring compliance.
He also warned that the world is at risk of a new nuclear arms race amid rising conflict and instability.
Grossi said global tensions could lead to a “crack in the system” of non-proliferation and trigger a domino effect in which “as many as 20 states” pursue nuclear weapons.
“There is talk about ‘friendly proliferation’... a world with 20 nuclear weapon states or more would be extremely dangerous,” he said, warning the international order is in a “very, very fragile position.”
Grossi said the current “atmosphere of fragmentation, conflict, polarization” could push countries to reconsider nuclear options if they feel insecure.
