IAEA Finds Tons of Nuclear Materials at Undeclared Site in Syria

Syria has discovered a few tons of nuclear materials in an undeclared site dating back to the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, according to statements made in Damascus on August 18, 2026, by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani.

The discovery follows a notification sent by the Syrian government to the United Nations nuclear watchdog on July 17, 2026, as reported by France24. Grossi praised the move during a joint press conference in the Syrian capital, calling it a courageous decision that allowed IAEA inspectors to access the location. According to Grossi, the site held a few tons of nuclear materials that could be misused. Al-Shibani emphasized that the materials do not pose a danger and will remain under the custody of the Syrian state while being subjected to IAEA safeguards.

A Shift in International Nuclear Cooperation

Grossi described the find as a turning point in the relationship between the IAEA and Syrian authorities, noting that communications and cooperation have been ongoing for roughly a year and a half. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the new authorities in Damascus have pledged to work alongside the UN agency to address the legacy of nuclear activities during the rule of the Assad family. Al-Shibani stated that the decision to permit agency inspectors to enter the site was made under Syrian sovereign rights and without external coercion, marking the beginning of a new chapter for peaceful nuclear cooperation.

France24 reported that IAEA teams finished their site visit on the morning of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and collected the necessary samples. Al-Shibani reiterated that Damascus intends to develop international partnerships focused on the civil and peaceful applications of nuclear energy. The current phase allows international monitors to bypass past nuclear activities and establish a new path for cooperation, focusing on nuclear security and non-proliferation.

Historical Context Surrounding Deir ez-Zor

The revealed materials draw attention to Syria’s atomic footprint, particularly involving Deir ez-Zor. In 2007, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Al-Kibar facility near Deir ez-Zor, which intelligence reports at the time linked to a nuclear project believed to be nearing completion with North Korean assistance. For years, IAEA teams were unable to access the site.

Al-Ain noted that securing the remaining installations and waste from the previous nuclear project has been one of the priorities for the agency. The discovery of nuclear materials in a site not declared to the agency opens a new file for international investigations as Damascus attempts to rearrange its relationship with international institutions and close files on nuclear activities from the previous regime.