Syria’s Assad-era reactor configured for nuclear weapons: IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency's head, Rafael Grossi, has revealed that a nearly finished nuclear reactor, constructed secretly during the era of Syria's ousted leader, Bashar al-Assad, could have been used for creating weapons-grade nuclear material. The UN nuclear watchdog chief disclosed this after inspectors from the IAEA visited two sites, one in Deir Ezzor and another undisclosed location provided by Syrian authorities.

In a report handed over to the AFP, the IAEA claimed that Syria's former government was constructing a nuclear reactor, a fact Assad lost power over in December 2024, and the present Islamist government took charge. Grossi mentioned that Syria's previous administration was engaged in several covert operations, and they didn't wish the world to be aware of their activities.

He stated that the reactor, currently being dismantled, was almost complete, and it was quite probable that the Syrian authorities even carried out explosions to obstruct any potential investigation. Apart from the reactor under construction, the IAEA found a fuel fabrication plant where nuclear fuel was manufactured for the reactor, and a site where nuclear fuel, as well as uranium scrap and waste, were stored.

The IAEA discovered around 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal. Grossi commended Syria's brave move to disclose the undisclosed site, as the UN atomic watchdog had labeled the location as "very likely" to house a nuclear reactor in 2011, adding that their information suggested the reactor was being built with North Korean assistance.

Grossi left it to the IAEA board to decide whether to close the file opened in 2011, but he was not currently responsible for further investigating alleged connections to North Korea. A draft resolution, expected to be submitted to the board for a vote, proposes closing the file. The IAEA plans to keep working with Syria to ensure the safekeeping of the material and report their findings.