Syria discloses tonnes of nuclear material to IAEA

Syria has declared several tonnes of nuclear material to the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and granted inspectors access to sites linked to the clandestine program of ousted former President Bashar al-Assad, marking a significant step in addressing the country's nuclear legacy. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi announced the discovery on August 18, 2026, following inspections conducted after Syria officially reported an undisclosed site to the agency in July.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Damascus with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Grossi confirmed that IAEA inspectors had visited two locations: one in the Deir ez-Zur region and a second, undisclosed site identified by Syria. "We are talking about a few tons of nuclear material that could be put to bad use," Grossi stated, praising what he called Damascus' "courageous decision" to report the site. He assured that the material would be placed under international safeguards and accounted for through cooperation between Syrian and IAEA experts.

Shaibani emphasized that Syria declared the material of its "own free will" in a July 17 letter to the IAEA. He stated that technical...