IAEA finds 73 tonnes of natural uranium at Syria's undeclared reactor site

September 2, 2026 at 06:00 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the discovery of 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal at a site linked to Syria's undeclared reactor in Deir ez-Zor. The agency also officially verified that the structure Israel bombed in 2007 was a nuclear reactor under construction. The findings were made possible by the new Syrian administration's cooperation with IAEA inspectors.

Key Facts

The IAEA confirmed that the structure Israel bombed in Deir ez-Zor in 2007 was a nuclear reactor under construction.
Inspectors found approximately 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal, including about 55 tonnes in the form of fuel rods.
The reactor fuel was produced at a facility inside Syria.
The new Syrian administration provided IAEA inspectors with necessary access and information, leading to the resolution of all outstanding safeguards questions.
The IAEA reported no progress in its contacts with Iran.

Uranium Discovery

The IAEA's report officially confirmed that the undeclared structure bombed by Israel in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province in 2007 was a nuclear reactor under construction. Inspections at a site linked to that facility uncovered approximately 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal, of which about 55 tonnes were in the form of fuel rods. The agency confirmed that the reactor fuel was produced at a facility inside Syria.

Syrian Cooperation

Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the new Syrian administration announced it would cooperate with inspection authorities and granted IAEA inspectors the necessary access. Based on field inspections and information provided, the agency clarified all previously outstanding safeguards questions that had been reported to its Board of Governors. The IAEA expressed gratitude to Syria's new administration for its transparency and cooperation in identifying nuclear materials in the country.

Iran Status

The same IAEA report noted that no progress had been made in contacts with Iran.