Economist Podcasts The Intelligence: An interview with the director of the IAEA
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May 28, 2024 
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director of the IAEA, is at the forefront of nuclear oversight, navigating tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program and global stability. He discusses the challenges of promoting peaceful atomic energy amid rising risks. Alongside Tom Lee-Devlin, global business correspondent, they dive into De Beers' struggles with diamond sales and the shift toward lab-grown gems. The conversation also explores Russia's innovative tank defenses, highlighting the complex interplay of military technology and modern combat challenges.
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Iran's Nuclear Advancement
- Iran's nuclear program is expanding drastically in size and sophistication, exceeding the 2015 deal's limits.
- They now have advanced centrifuges and enough enriched uranium for multiple bombs, raising proliferation concerns.
IAEA's Role in Ukraine
- Grossi's presence at Zaporizhzhia provides a neutral perspective on the situation, despite some Ukrainians viewing it as legitimizing Russian occupation.
- The IAEA's role is to ensure nuclear safety, not to engage in political disputes, offering impartial insights.
IAEA's Importance
- The IAEA's ability to communicate with all nations is vital, especially given the current global deadlock.
- The agency's true test will be whether it can prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.