Nuclear material discovered in Syria, FM says it will remain under Damascus's control
Syria is not known to hold operational stockpiles of nuclear material for a weapons program, but Israel bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 in the country's eastern province.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani confirmed to Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered nuclear material in Syria during a joint press conference in Damascus. Shaibani assured that the material, found at the Dier al-Zor site, will remain under Syrian control and will be safely managed according to IAEA standards.
He explained that Syria voluntarily allowed the IAEA access to the site. The minister emphasized that Damascus has the right to utilize the material for peaceful civil purposes. Cooperation between Syria and the IAEA has progressed significantly since the end of the Assad regime in late 2024. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi revealed that the agency accessed the site upon notification from the Syrian government.
Although Syria is not believed to possess operational nuclear weapons, Israel conducted a bombing raid in 2007 targeting a suspected nuclear reactor in Dier al-Zor province.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 5 other outlets
- Syria says nuclear material to remain under its control, international supervision haaretz.com
- Syria admits to possessing nuclear material israelnationalnews.com
- IAEA chief: Tons of nuclear material found at secret Syria site english.ajel.sa
- What US sanctions on Syria remain as Shibani, Barrack hold talks? al-monitor.com
- UN watchdog excavates suspected Syrian nuclear site as Damascus pledges safeguards winnipegfreepress.com
