What the IAEA Discovered at the Hidden Deir Az-Zor Location – Syria’s 73-Tonne Uranium Discovery
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The Arab Post
- . September 3, 2026
- . Update: September 3, 2026 10:23 pm
The nuclear activities of Syria have recently gained renewed attention following confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Syria’s previous government had not declared nuclear material, facilities, and activities.
Syria Uranium Find, In a report obtained by media agencies, the UN’s nuclear agency stated that their inspectors visited various sites in Syria in August and verified evidence related to Syria’s undeclared nuclear program.
The most important revelation involves the contentious Deir Az-Zor site, where the IAEA has confirmed that the newly found cooling system fits the characteristics of a nuclear reactor.
The agency also found about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal at another location in the country.
What Did IAEA Find in Deir Az-Zor?
The Deir Az-Zor plant has been a source of international worry regarding the Syrian nuclear programme for almost two decades now.
The plant was demolished by an Israeli airstrike in 2007 following an accusation from Israel that Syria had been working on a nuclear reactor in partnership with North Korea.
The plant was razed to the ground by Syria and the former government had nothing to say to satisfy the IAEA regarding the matter.
However, after the fall of President Assad in December 2024, IAEA inspectors have been granted more access to places where the nuclear plants are located.
During the digging process recently conducted, the inspectors found some cooling system at the plant which, according to IAEA, is that of a nuclear reactor.
What Was the Undeclared Nuclear Programme of Syria?
According to the IAEA, its latest discoveries confirm that the former government of Syria did not declare the necessary information concerning its nuclear material, facilities, and activities according to the country’s safeguards obligations.
Besides the mentioned reactor project in Deir Az-Zor, investigators have discovered a number of additional things.
Firstly, there was a fuel fabrication plant where the fuel for the reactor was produced, and also there was another place, which was used for storage of nuclear fuel, uranium scraps, and nuclear waste.
These discoveries will help the IAEA to learn more about the extent of the programme and its facilities.
What Will Be Done with the Nuclear Programme of Syria Now?
Further investigation is conducted with the new government of Syria.
The Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi together with some other inspectors visited Syria in August and had talks with the officials.
Also, the new government has expressed interest in civilian nuclear energy development programmes.
Damascus has stated that any nuclear material found in Syria shall remain in the custody of Syria but would be under international safeguards.
To the IAEA, the most pressing task right now is to ascertain the full story regarding the past nuclear activities of Syria and ensure proper accounting of the nuclear material.
Why is Discovery Important?
This discovery can have serious implications on the international endeavors of understanding Syria’s nuclear past.
The Deir Az-Zor reactor construction program has never been disclosed by the erstwhile regime of Syria and discovery of 73 tons of undeclared natural uranium adds yet another piece of information for the inspectors.
This discovery coincides with the efforts of Syria in repairing ties with international organizations after the fall of Assad regime.
Conclusion – Syria Uranium Find
The new findings by the IAEA bring back into the limelight one of the most contentious nuclear secrets of the Middle East region.
First, inspectors have established that the cooling systems discovered at Deir Az-Zor conform to a nuclear reactor. Second, the IAEA has established that there is around 73 tons of natural uranium metal found at an entirely new site.
Even though natural uranium does not have the same characteristics as enriched uranium, the findings bring up a number of issues regarding the former nuclear operations in Syria.
In addition, further investigations by the IAEA may unveil the true nature of the operations of the nuclear program in Syria before the fall of Assad.
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