The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) uncovers an undeclared nuclear site in Syria: 73 tons of uranium discovered.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) uncovers an undeclared nuclear site in Syria: 73 tons of uranium discovered.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the existence of approximately 73 tons of natural uranium at a previously undisclosed Syrian site, marking a new development in its investigations into Syria’s past nuclear activities. According to a confidential report by the IAEA, published by Reuters, around 55 tons of the discovered quantity was in the form of 8,808 fuel rods, while the remaining quantity of approximately 18 tons consisted of uranium scrap and waste.
The report clarified that the nuclear materials found are currently under the containment and surveillance measures of the IAEA, while Syrian authorities have taken steps to address outstanding issues related to the safeguards agreement. The information provided by Damascus included facilities and activities linked to a nuclear reactor that was under construction in Deir ez-Zor province, in addition to a facility for manufacturing nuclear fuel and a site for its storage.
The agency also confirmed that the fuel intended for the reactor in Deir ez-Zor was manufactured within Syria, reiterating its previous conclusions that the site destroyed by Israel in the province in 2007 was a nuclear reactor under construction. These developments come as part of the agency’s continued investigations into Syria’s past nuclear program and the resolution of safeguards issues that have remained unresolved since the previous regime.
Syria had informed the agency on July 17, 2026, about the existence of an undeclared site and nuclear materials, inviting it to conduct field verification operations. On August 18, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani announced that Damascus has fulfilled the cooperation requirements with the agency and is striving to close the file on non-compliance inherited from the previous regime, while affirming its commitment to using nuclear energy for peaceful and civilian purposes.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry earlier indicated reaching an agreement with the agency on practical steps to resolve outstanding safeguards issues related to nuclear activities that occurred during the previous regime’s tenure.
