Rafael Grossi confirms Syria's former regime failed to declare nuclear material and facilities under international safeguards.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the former Syrian regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, failed to report several nuclear materials, facilities, and activities required under international safeguards. The agency established this during verification work conducted at multiple sites in Syria in August.
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At the Deir Az Zor site, the IAEA confirmed that the cooling infrastructure recently uncovered is consistent with a new nuclear reactor being constructed. The agency will continue to monitor the site as excavation work progresses. The report also identified a fuel fabrication plant and a location where nuclear fuel, uranium scrap, and waste were stored. The new Syrian administration has agreed to provide IAEA inspectors with access to suspected former nuclear sites. The administration notified the agency of a previously undeclared site in a July 17 letter, inviting the IAEA to cooperate in the inspection and verification of any nuclear material found. The agency verified approximately 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal in the form of fuel rods with cladding at this new site. All of this nuclear material is currently subject to international containment and surveillance measures.