IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi asserts the U.S. president’s decision threatens global security.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to restart nuclear weapon testing signals a worsening global crisis and weakens international peace and security efforts.
In an interview with France’s LCI TV channel on Tuesday, Grossi described Trump’s announcement as a “manifestation of profound unease, tension, and increasing fragmentation,” saying it harms global peace and the nuclear non-proliferation framework.
Last week, Trump directed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for nuclear testing, alleging that the U.S. is “the only country that doesn’t test” and accusing Russia and China of carrying out “secret” nuclear explosions. Both Moscow and Beijing have denied these claims.
Grossi cast doubt on Trump’s accusations, pointing out that any nuclear explosions by other countries would be detected by the international monitoring system under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. He stated that the monitoring organization “can immediately record such phenomena.”
Grossi urged for the United Nations to regain its role in maintaining world peace and protecting the nuclear non-proliferation system amid rising global tensions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has not yet commented on Trump’s statements, saying Moscow is awaiting “clarifications from the American side.” He emphasized that Russia and China have not resumed nuclear testing and remain dedicated to their obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Trump’s announcement followed a series of Russian tests, including the launch of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone. However, these tests did not involve actual nuclear detonations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow would only consider resuming nuclear weapon testing if other nuclear powers officially withdraw from the testing moratorium.