IAEA says Syria's former reactor was designed for weapons-grade material
The IAEA director general reported that Syria's Assad-era nuclear reactor was configured to produce fissile material for potential weapons use. Inspectors visited the site in August and confirmed the cooling infrastructure matches a nuclear reactor. The material is now under IAEA safeguards.
The Deir Az Zor reactor, originally built with North Korean assistance, was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in 2007 and subsequently buried by the former regime. IAEA inspectors had to physically breach walls and navigate tight spaces during their August visit to access the concealed nuclear material, which was found amid scattered boxes.
Beyond the reactor, the agency identified a fuel fabrication plant and storage facilities for uranium and waste. Following the 2024 regime change, Syria's new government disclosed an additional undeclared site in July and invited inspectors, leading to the recent verification efforts and the installation of monitoring cameras.
This disclosure could reshape regional security dynamics, as it highlights the potential proliferation risks that existed under the previous government. Neighboring states and international bodies may reassess their monitoring strategies, while Syria's new administration could gain credibility by cooperating with the IAEA. The presence of safeguarded material might also influence diplomatic discussions regarding a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, though Israel's undeclared arsenal remains a complicating factor.