Arabic version: الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية تؤكد بناء سوريا مفاعلاً في دير الزور

According to Al Jazeera, the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Syria attempted to build a nuclear reactor in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor under ousted former President Bashar al-Assad.

In a confidential report seen by news agencies, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said it visited several Syrian locations in August and conducted verification work. Based on observations at the Deir Az Zor site, it said uncovered cooling infrastructure was consistent with that of a nuclear reactor. The agency said it would continue monitoring the site as excavation progresses.

Syria was believed to have operated an undeclared nuclear programme under al-Assad, including a reactor built by North Korea at Deir Az Zor. Israel destroyed the facility in air strikes in 2007. Syria later levelled the site and did not fully answer IAEA questions about it.

After al-Assad’s removal in early December 2024, Syria’s new government agreed to allow inspectors access to suspected former nuclear sites. Samples taken at the Deir Az Zor location in 2024 contained uranium particles, the agency reported last year. The IAEA now said former Syrian authorities had failed to report nuclear material, facilities and activities, including a fuel fabrication plant and a storage location for fuel, uranium scrap and waste.

The agency also inspected a previously undeclared site disclosed by the new administration in a July 17 letter. It verified about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal in fuel rods with cladding, saying the material is under agency containment and surveillance. Syrian authorities have expressed interest in civilian nuclear energy and said any material found would remain in Syria under international safeguards.