nuclear monitoring

The International Atomic Energy Agency has issued its 369th regular update from Director General Rafael Grossi on the situation in Ukraine. The statement continues the agency's ongoing monitoring of nuclear safety and security at Ukrainian nuclear facilities since the start of the conflict, covering plant operations, staff safety and external power supply.

The United States has carried out an experiment intended to improve its ability to detect nuclear explosions. Details of the test, including where it took place and what technology was involved, have not been specified in early reports. The exercise comes amid ongoing concern over nuclear monitoring and verification worldwide, and is being reported as an effort to strengthen early-warning and detection capabilities rather than a response to a specific event.

The United States is reportedly running a blast simulation aimed at examining allegations that China has carried out secret nuclear weapons tests. The move will intensify scrutiny of Beijing's nuclear programme and its compliance with the international testing moratorium, amid already heightened US-China tensions over strategic arms.

A report argues that European governments and security bodies have progressively dropped Iran from their terrorism assessments, despite past cases linked to Iranian intelligence on European soil. Commentary around the piece suggests political and economic priorities, including preserving the nuclear deal and trade ties, have led EU capitals to understate the threat in official terrorism reporting, leaving a gap in how the risk is monitored and communicated.