IAEA: Syria Built Nuclear Reactor Under Assad

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Syria constructed a nuclear reactor at a site in Deir Az Zor, under the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. This finding stems from an investigation into undeclared nuclear material, facilities, and activities. The IAEA's report, released on March 26, 2024, states that Syria "failed to report nuclear material, facilities and activities" as required by its safeguards agreement. The site in question, known as Al-Kibar, was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 2007. At the time, Syria denied that the facility was a nuclear reactor, claiming it was a conventional military site. However, the IAEA's subsequent investigations, including analysis of environmental samples and satellite imagery, provided evidence suggesting the presence of nuclear material and the operation of a reactor. The IAEA's Board of Governors has previously expressed concern over Syria's lack of transparency regarding its nuclear program. In 2011, the Board adopted a resolution calling on Syria to cooperate fully with the agency and to provide access to all undeclared nuclear material and facilities. Syria has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it has no undeclared nuclear activities. The IAEA's findings are based on information gathered over several years, including intelligence from member states and on-site inspections where permitted. The agency's mandate is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The conclusion regarding the Deir Az Zor reactor marks a significant development in the IAEA's long-standing concerns about Syria's nuclear activities. The report details the agency's assessment of the evidence, which it states is sufficient to conclude that the site was a nuclear reactor. The IAEA has called for Syria to provide a "full account" of its past nuclear activities and to allow the agency to verify that all nuclear material is accounted for. The implications of this finding for Syria's international relations and its compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties are significant. The IAEA continues to monitor Syria's nuclear program and seeks to ensure that all nuclear activities are conducted under international safeguards. The agency's investigations are ongoing, and it has stated its commitment to resolving all outstanding issues related to Syria's nuclear program. The report underscores the challenges faced by the IAEA in verifying nuclear activities in states with limited transparency and ongoing conflict. The agency relies on a combination of state declarations, intelligence, and technical analysis to fulfill its verification mandate. The conclusion about the Deir Az Zor reactor is a testament to the agency's persistent efforts to ensure nuclear non-proliferation.