IAEA confirms Syria built undeclared nuclear reactor under al-Assad

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in a confidential report that Syria attempted to build a nuclear reactor at Deir Az Zor under ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The agency visited several sites in Syria in August and verified that cooling infrastructure at the site is consistent with a nuclear reactor. The IAEA also established that former Syrian authorities failed to report nuclear material, facilities, and activities. It identified a fuel fabrication plant and a storage location for nuclear fuel and uranium scrap. During the visit, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and inspectors visited a previously undeclared site, notified by the new Syrian administration, which contained about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal in fuel rods. The material is under IAEA containment and surveillance. The new Syrian authorities have expressed interest in a civilian nuclear programme and said any nuclear material would remain in Syria under international safeguards.