{
  "id": 6146258,
  "title": "Secret Assad-era Syrian nuclear reactor was almost complete",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/secret-assad-era-syrian-nuclear-reactor-was-almost-complete",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T15:45:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1527894/secret-assad-era-syrian-nuclear-reactor-was-almost-complete"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "VIENNA: The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog has revealed that a near-complete nuclear reactor built secretly during the Assad regime could produce material for nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA report. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency visited two sites in Syria, one in Deir Ezzor and another undisclosed location provided by Syrian authorities. The reactor, currently being excavated, was almost complete, according to IAEA head Rafael Grossi. It would have been highly efficient in producing fissile material for nuclear weapons, he stated. The reactor was built alongside a fuel fabrication plant, a location for nuclear fuel storage, and a site where uranium scrap and waste were kept. Grossi praised Syria's decision to disclose the undisclosed site, as the IAEA had previously declared in 2011 that it was likely to host a nuclear reactor, suggesting assistance from North Korea. The IAEA board is now deciding whether to close the file opened in 2011, and a draft resolution proposes closing it. However, questions remain about the scope of the reactor and Syria's cooperation with North Korea, according to the Institute for Science and International Security.",
  "summary": "VIENNA: A near-complete nuclear reactor built secretly during the rule of toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad would have been able to produce material to make nuclear weapons, the UN nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Secret Assad-era Syrian nuclear reactor was almost complete: UN",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/secret-assad-era-syrian-nuclear-reactor-was-almost-complete-un",
        "published": "2026-09-07T14:11:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Secret Assad-era Syrian nuclear reactor was almost complete, says UN",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/secret-assad-era-syrian-nuclear-reactor-was-almost-complete-says-un",
        "published": "2026-09-07T16:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Secret Assad-era Syrian nuclear reactor was almost complete: UN",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/secret-assad-era-syrian-nuclear-reactor-was-almost-complete-un-6150900",
        "published": "2026-09-07T16:30:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Syria’s Assad-era reactor configured for nuclear weapons: IAEA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/syrias-assad-era-reactor-configured-for-nuclear-weapons-iaea",
        "published": "2026-09-07T19:31:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Secret Syrian nuclear reactor bombed by Israel in 2007 was almost complete, IAEA says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/secret-syrian-nuclear-reactor-bombed-by-israel-in-2007-was-almost",
        "published": "2026-09-07T20:17:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "Assad-era Syrian reactor configured for nuclear weapons, says IAEA chief",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/assad-era-syrian-reactor-configured-for-nuclear-weapons-says-iaea",
        "published": "2026-09-07T22:26:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}