IAEA: 73 Tons of Uranium, undeclared nuclear program in Syria

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the presence of around 73 metric tons of natural uranium at a site in Syria, saying the country’s former authorities had failed to declare several nuclear materials, facilities and activities, including a reactor under construction in Deir ez-Zor and a nuclear fuel manufacturing facility.

2 September, 2026 10:30

NEWSDESK

The IAEA issued a report Tuesday confirming that Syria had nuclear materials, facilities and activities that were not declared by the former authorities, in violation of the country’s obligations under its safeguards agreement with the agency.

The report said the agency verified the presence of around 73 metric tons of natural uranium at a Syrian site, including about 55 tons in the form of 8,808 fuel rods, while uranium scrap and waste amounted to around 18 tons.

The transitional government informed the IAEA about the site on July 17 and granted the agency access to conduct verification activities on the materials located there, according to the report.

Regarding the Deir ez-Zor site, the IAEA concluded that the facility destroyed by Israel in 2007 was a nuclear reactor under construction, saying the evidence collected and analyzed was consistent with the characteristics of a nuclear reactor facility.

The report also confirmed the existence of activities related to nuclear fuel production, noting that the former Syrian authorities had not declared the existence of a fuel manufacturing facility or the materials and activities associated with it.

The report said the IAEA identified several sites linked to the Deir ez-Zor project, including locations for nuclear fuel-related activities and material storage, as well as facilities associated with plans to process nuclear materials.

According to the report, the IAEA began verification procedures concerning these activities and sites years ago. Inspections, sampling and analysis provided additional evidence regarding the nature of Syria’s former nuclear program.

The IAEA said the identified nuclear materials are subject to “containment and surveillance” measures as part of its verification activities under the safeguards agreement.

The report comes as the IAEA continues its investigations into Syria’s past nuclear activities and assesses the country’s compliance with its international obligations under the nuclear safeguards regime.

A-H

ANHA