UN watchdog excavates suspected Syrian nuclear site as Damascus pledges safeguards

DAMASCUS, Syria — Inspectors from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency have commenced excavation at a site suspected to be connected to Syria's clandestine nuclear program under its former government, according to the agency's chief. This development follows Syria's new government's pledge to cooperate with the watchdog. The agency's director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, revealed that the excavation is currently taking place at a site in Deir el-Zour province, where comprehensive work is underway.

Another site with nuclear material has also reportedly been discovered, though details have not been disclosed.

Grossi emphasized the significance of Syria's cooperation, stating that the country has handed over to the IAEA inspectors a few tons of nuclear material, which could potentially be misused. He further added that the material will be accounted for and will be subject to the international safeguard system. Syria, under its new leadership, has expressed intentions to develop nuclear energy, and its foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, assured that the material in question does not pose any danger and will remain under the country's custody, subject to the agency's safeguard system.

The Deir el-Zour site only came to light after Israel conducted airstrikes in 2007 to destroy the facility, which Syria subsequently demolished. However, in 2024, IAEA inspectors had taken samples at three locations and found traces of uranium at one site.