Vienna: The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has issued a grave warning over the growing trend of nuclear armament worldwide, cautioning that instead of disarmament, nations are actively expanding their arsenals or openly considering acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a statement following his meeting with Pope Leo XIV, Grossi described the situation as “crucial” and called for urgent international cooperation to reverse the alarming trajectory. He stressed that the proliferation of nuclear arms in both nuclear and non-nuclear states poses a severe challenge to global peace and security.

Grossi also expressed deep concern over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, located in an active conflict zone. He warned that “the possibility of something happening is extremely high,” underscoring the plant’s vulnerability and the catastrophic risks of a nuclear incident amid ongoing hostilities.

The IAEA chief emphasized that world leaders must not remain indifferent, urging concrete measures toward disarmament and stronger safeguards to prevent nuclear accidents or escalation.