The United States has reaffirmed its support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) ongoing engagement with Brazil regarding naval nuclear propulsion activities. Speaking at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Second Secretary Allison Baeuchler highlighted that the IAEA’s work on this issue is within its established mandate and does not require a separate intergovernmental process.
Director General Rafael Grossi has previously clarified that interactions with member states concerning naval nuclear propulsion are covered by existing IAEA authorities. The United States echoed this position during the session.
“We welcome the ongoing discussions between Brazil, ABACC, and the IAEA on the application of special procedures relevant to Brazil’s naval nuclear propulsion activities pursuant to the Quadripartite Safeguards Agreement,” said Baeuchler.
Baeuchler further emphasized: “The Director General has emphasized the centrality of the IAEA’s verification mandate to any arrangements related to naval nuclear propulsion programs, and we reiterate that sentiment.”
Brazil has taken steps to ensure that international safeguards can be maintained as it advances its own naval nuclear propulsion program. “We welcome Brazil’s initiative to ensure that the IAEA can continue to carry out its mandate and meet its technical safeguards objectives in the context of Brazil’s naval nuclear propulsion program,” Baeuchler stated.
The United States also indicated interest in continued updates as negotiations between Brazil, ABACC—the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials—and the IAEA develop. “We look forward to additional updates from the Director General as discussions between Brazil, ABACC, and the IAEA progress,” said Baeuchler.
The U.S. statement was delivered under agenda item 5e at the November 2025 meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna.