Nuclear Risk at Highest Level Since Cold War, IAEA Chief Warns

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warns global nuclear risk is at its highest since the Cold War, citing rising conflicts and weakening safeguards.

Rafael Grossi has warned that the risk of a global nuclear catastrophe has reached its highest level since the Cold War, citing rising geopolitical tensions and weakening international safeguards.

Speaking at a review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in New York, Grossi said the current global situation is “fragile and unstable,” with conflicts in Europe and the Middle East putting pressure on international security frameworks.

He noted that the treaty, which has been in force for over five decades and joined by 191 countries, remains a cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Grossi warned that increasing numbers of actors, rising risks, and declining transparency in nuclear activities are making the situation more dangerous than at any time in recent decades.

He stressed that preventing nuclear proliferation is a shared global responsibility and that the monitoring system of the International Atomic Energy Agency plays a critical role in ensuring nuclear materials are not diverted for military use.

At the same time, he emphasized that nuclear technology should be expanded for peaceful purposes, including energy production, healthcare, food security, and environmental protection.

The NPT remains one of the most widely supported international arms control agreements, aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

However, recent global conflicts and growing mistrust among major powers have raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing non-proliferation mechanisms.

Ongoing wars and geopolitical rivalries have increased fears of escalation involving nuclear-armed states, with experts warning that miscalculation or weak communication could have catastrophic consequences.

International organizations continue to call for renewed dialogue, transparency, and cooperation to reduce nuclear risks and strengthen global security frameworks.

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