Washington DC/Vienna, 2 August 2022 (TDI): The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi met with the United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

Director General Grossi and Secretary Blinken discussed nuclear verification in Iran as well as the safety and security of nuclear power plants in Ukraine.

Along with AUKUS nuclear naval propulsion as part of the issues relevant to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Previous Meeting

In October 2021, Secretary Blinken met with Director General Grossi. In line with the meeting, Blinken emphasized the strong US support for the IAEA’s global nuclear nonproliferation verification mission, including in Iran.

Secretary Blinken consulted with Grossi concerning the need for Iran to meet its nuclear verification obligations and commitments, cease its nuclear provocations, and return to the diplomacy it says it seeks.

Blinken highlighted that the IAEA plays a significant role in implementing the promise of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Specifically, by providing assurance regarding the peaceful nature of nuclear programs around the world. Also, by facilitating the safe and secure utilization of nuclear technology.

IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency was formed in 1957. That is, in response to the “deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology”.

The Agency’s origin was US President Eisenhower’s ‘Atoms for Peace’ address to the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in 1953.

Eisenhower’s US Ratification of the Statute on 29 July 1957, therefore, marked the official creation of the IAEA.

At the time, during the press conference after the signing ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., Eisenhower evoked his address to the UN General Assembly in 1953, whereby he had proposed to establish the IAEA.

Above all, the IAEA is linked to nuclear technology. The ideas Eisenhower expressed in his speech in 1953 assisted in shaping the IAEA’s Statute.

The IAEA was set up as the world’s ‘Atoms for Peace’ organization within the UN family. From the start, it was given the mandate to work with its Member States.

Together with multiple partners worldwide. Especially to promote safe, secure, and peaceful nuclear technologies.

Most importantly, the objectives of the IAEA’s dual mission are “to promote and control the Atom”. All in all, the objectives are defined in Article II of the IAEA Statute.

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