IAEA board draws a line under past Syrian nuclear activities, says outstanding questions resolved
In a confidential report to member states last week, the IAEA said it had resolved all its questions on the outstanding issues regarding Syria that it had originally reported to the board.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday, effectively concluding the agency's review of Syria's past nuclear activities during the Assad regime. The resolution, passed by consensus among the 35 member states, stated that all outstanding questions had been resolved.
Following Israel's airstrike on a site in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor in 2007, which it claimed was a secret nuclear reactor nearing completion, the IAEA demanded that Syria disclose its nuclear activities. However, Syria failed to comply with the agency's requests.
In 2011, the IAEA board declared Syria in violation of its non-proliferation obligations and reported the country to the UN Security Council. After the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2024, Syria's new authorities committed to cooperating with the IAEA to address the nation's nuclear past.
A confidential IAEA report, obtained by Reuters, revealed that the agency had successfully resolved all questions related to the issues initially reported to the board. The resolution text, submitted by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, praised Syria for its transparency and cooperation in addressing its non-compliance.
The IAEA confirmed that the bombed site was very likely a nuclear reactor and found approximately 73 metric tons of natural uranium metal in Syria, primarily in the form of fuel rods. This material is now under IAEA supervision, and Syria has pledged to remain compliant with the agency's requirements.
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