Scoop: U.S. brokers secret deal on clandestine Syrian nuclear site

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to remove nuclear material from a secretive site in Syria following a secret agreement reached between the U.S. and Syria, along with Israel, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. This development is significant as it demonstrates the Trump administration's approach to dealing with Syria and highlights the U.S.'s close ties with the new Syrian government to defuse a potential crisis.

The clandestine site, known as Site 99, was part of the Assad regime's nuclear program, which was largely dismantled after Israel bombed the Al-Kibar reactor in 2007. However, several inactive storage sites remained, including Site 99, which reportedly contained yellowcake, a uranium ore powder that can be processed into nuclear fuel, and other radioactive residue.

Despite Israel's threats to bomb the site again, a compromise was reached when the U.S. and Israel convinced the Syrian government to remove the material. This agreement, signed by the IAEA and the Syrian government, aims to secure the material and prevent any potential escalation involving Turkey.