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Syrian nuclear site destroyed by IDF in 2007 was useful for weapon production, IAEA chief says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Documents & data Outcome reported
  • The IAEA says a reactor Syria was building before Israel destroyed it in 2007 could have quickly produced fissile material for nuclear weapons.
  • The agency’s investigation found about 73 metric tons of natural uranium metal and confirmed that reactor fuel had been produced in Syria without being declared.
  • Syria’s post-Assad authorities have provided access and information to help resolve outstanding safeguards questions.

The reactor Syria had nearly completed when Israeli aircraft destroyed it in 2007 could have produced fissile material for nuclear weapons quickly, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said Monday.

Historic breakthrough

· International Atomic Energy AgencyThe agency’s description of its investigation into Syria’s past secret nuclear activities.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed in a report to member states that the bombed site in Deir al-Zor province was a reactor under construction. Fuel for the facility had been made in Syria, but the activities should have been declared to the IAEA at the time.

The agency’s recent investigation into secret nuclear activities during the rule of the Assad family also uncovered about 73 metric tons of natural uranium metal, mainly in the form of reactor fuel. The IAEA has called the investigation a “historic breakthrough.”

This is a reactor that is very efficient in the production of fissile material that could be used directly for the fabrication of nuclear weapons

· Rafael GrossiGrossi described the capabilities of the reactor destroyed in 2007.

“This is a reactor that is very efficient in the production of fissile material that could be used directly for the fabrication of nuclear weapons,” Grossi told a press conference. He said the reactor was “almost completed” and represented “a very serious proliferation concern,” while cautioning that the intentions of Syria’s authorities at the time could not be judged.

A very serious proliferation concern

· Rafael GrossiGrossi characterized the reactor project’s implications.

Since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria’s new authorities have committed to working with the IAEA on questions involving nuclear safeguards, which cover the accounting for and monitoring of nuclear material. Grossi said Syria had provided the access and information needed to clarify and resolve the agency’s outstanding questions concerning the country’s past nuclear activities. He welcomed what he called Syria’s transparency and cooperation.

I welcome Syria’s transparency and cooperation with the agency, which facilitates the resolution of the outstanding safeguards issues related to Syria’s past nuclear activities

· Rafael GrossiGrossi praised the cooperation of Syria’s new authorities.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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