- Syria announced that nuclear material would remain in the country for peaceful purposes, reversing an earlier statement about its removal under IAEA arrangements.
- During a joint press conference, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani confirmed that the material would remain under Syrian control but subject to IAEA safeguards.
- Al-Shaibani stated, “Syria has the right to use the material for civilian purposes,” emphasizing the intended use of the nuclear material.
- This announcement marked a reversal from the previous week when Syria's Atomic Energy Commission indicated that an IAEA delegation would visit to confirm the removal of nuclear material.
- The nuclear material is believed to be linked to a secret program developed under former President Bashar Assad, particularly associated with the al-Kibar reactor.
- Yellowcake, a uranium concentrate, is included in the material, which can be processed and enriched as part of the nuclear fuel cycle.
- The material at Site 99 cannot be directly used to manufacture a nuclear weapon but could potentially be utilized in a “dirty bomb”.
- Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, stated that tons of nuclear materials that could be misused had been found at the site, dating back to Syria's past.
- Grossi confirmed that the IAEA team had completed their site visit and collected necessary samples, ensuring that the material would be accounted for under international safeguards.
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced that the country will retain several tons of nuclear material under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, asserting the right to use it for civilian purposes. This decision reverses a prior announcement regarding the material's removal.15
The material, which includes yellowcake, a uranium concentrate, was discovered at a previously undisclosed site linked to Syria's past nuclear program under Bashar al-Assad. Al-Shaibani emphasized that the material is not dangerous and will remain under Syrian control, stating, “Syria has the right to use the material for civilian purposes.”6
The IAEA's chief, Rafael Grossi, confirmed the presence of “tons of nuclear materials that could be put to bad use” at the site, which dates back to the Assad regime. He noted that the IAEA is working with Syrian experts to ensure the materials are safely stored and accounted for.8
This announcement comes after a week of uncertainty, where the IAEA had prepared to remove the nuclear material, left over from the era of Assad, by a coalition of rebels in 2024. Al-Shaibani stated, “On July 17, we sent an official letter to the agency, in which we declared of our own free will the presence of nuclear materials at an undeclared site within the legacy left by the former regime.”
The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding Syria's nuclear capabilities and the potential risks associated with the retained materials, which could theoretically be used in a “dirty bomb.”
“Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized that the nuclear material, including yellowcake, is not dangerous and will be safeguarded by the IAEA. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, confirmed that 'tons of nuclear materials that could be put to bad use' were found, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding Syria's nuclear capabilities.”
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