Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime Beginning to Decline
The nuclear weapons nonproliferation regime is beginning to decline. Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General, expressed his vision of the situation during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“In times of increased geostrategic tension, unfortunately, this increases the attraction of nuclear weapons. Let us take the situation in Iran as example: while the situation with nuclear weapons in the country remains in the status of presumed latency, other countries in the region openly express their own positions on this issue. Like, if they get a nuclear weapon, we are going to get a nuclear weapon as well” Rafael Mariano Grossi said.
According to Mr. Grossi, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed between Iran and five other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Germany and the EU on the Iran nuclear deal has now lost its relevance. Since the signing of the document (14 July 2015), the nuclear program in Iran has significantly intensified. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new architecture of the document and to start a new format of discussions in this area.
The nuclear test moratorium is also being questioned. At the end of December 2024, russia lifted a moratorium on the deployment of medium- and short-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. At the same time, discussions are underway in the USA and other countries regarding the need to resume nuclear testing.
The public in the South Korea and Japan openly discuss the possibility of creating nuclear weapons. “During official meetings, the press comes to me and asks whether it is possible to extend the list of countries that are allowed to have nuclear weapons. Wouldn’t that add to global stability? It is a rhetorical question” Rafael Mariano Grossi shared.
According to the speech of IAEA Director General, the situation can be improved by determined renewing commitments of the key players in the field to the nonproliferation regime and strengthening the role of the IAEA as an instrument that will guarantee this regime.
Uatom.org Editorial Board