Nuclear material discovered in Syria, collected by IAEA, Damascus says
Syrian authorities have allowed the IAEA to collect and secure nuclear material discovered at the Deir al-Zor site. This cooperation marks a shift in Syria's transparency regarding its nuclear legacy following the change in government in 2024.
Why it matters
Securing nuclear material in a post-conflict state is a major international security priority to prevent proliferation and ensure regional stability.
Nuclear material in Syria was discovered and collected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Saudi state-owned Al-Hadath reported on Tuesday, citing confirmation by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.According to the report, al-Shaibani emphasized that the material, discovered in Syria's Dier al-Zor site, will remain in Syrian custody, "subject to IAEA guarantees.""We will provide the necessary conditions for handling nuclear materials and storing them safely," said al-Shaibani, who further noted that Damascus, "on its own initiative," permitted the IAEA to access the site.Al-Shaibani made the comments at a joint press conference with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Damascus, where he added that Syria had the right to use the…
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