UN nuclear watchdog finds tons of nuclear material at undeclared Syrian sites

Aug 18, 2026

During the week of August 18, 2026, International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited several undeclared Syrian nuclear sites for the first time, discovering several tons of natural uranium metal. Following the late 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's new government under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has pledged full cooperation, disclosing the materials and allowing excavations at the suspected Al-Kibar reactor site in Deir Ezzor, which was destroyed by a 2007 Israeli airstrike.

IAEA inspection of Syrian sites

▪The International Atomic Energy Agency inspections in Syria followed diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration that produced understandings with both Syria and Israel.
▪International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited several undeclared Assad-era Syrian nuclear sites for the first time during the week of August 18, 2026.

Assad-era clandestine nuclear program

▪International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors took samples at three Syrian locations in 2024 and reported in 2025 that they had discovered traces of uranium at one site.
▪Under former President Bashar al-Assad, Syria was believed to have operated an extensive, undeclared nuclear program centered on the clandestine Al-Kibar reactor built by North Korea.
▪The Assad regime stored nuclear material related to the Al-Kibar project at a clandestine facility known as Site 99, which Israel and the United States have closely monitored.

Natural uranium storage discovery

▪International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the discovered nuclear material will be verified, accounted for, and placed under routine agency safeguards.
▪International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors discovered several tons of natural uranium metal at an undisclosed Syrian site that could potentially be put to bad use.
▪Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated that technical assessments indicate the discovered nuclear materials do not pose a risk and will remain in Syrian national custody.

Syrian cooperation with IAEA

▪Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria's new government under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa pledged full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
▪On July 17, 2026, the Syrian government sent an official letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency disclosing the presence of nuclear materials at an undeclared site.

Al-Kibar reactor excavation

▪International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors began excavation and exploration activities at the suspected Al-Kibar nuclear reactor site in Deir Ezzor, Syria, during the week of August 18, 2026.
▪International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the excavation at Deir Ezzor validates the agency's longstanding evaluation that a secret nuclear facility was being built there.

2007 Israeli airstrike on reactor

▪Israel launched a top-secret airstrike in 2007 that destroyed the clandestine Al-Kibar nuclear reactor facility in eastern Deir Ezzor province, Syria.
▪Following the 2007 Israeli airstrike, Syria leveled the Deir Ezzor site and failed to fully answer the International Atomic Energy Agency's questions about the facility.