Syria’s new government has agreed to grant immediate access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to suspected former nuclear sites. This advancement comes amid growing concerns over the country’s clandestine nuclear program. Most people think it has been operating all along under the reign of President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi stated that he was encouraged by the progress on cooperation between the IAEA and the Syrian government.
Iran’s adversary, Syria, was accused of trying to acquire a nuclear weapon. They constructed a clandestine reactor facility—with help from North Korea—in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province. The reactor first came to international attention when Israeli warplanes, in Operation Orchard, carried out air strikes in 2007 which destroyed the facility. Even with this level of damaging theft, Syria is known to have been historically evasive in answering the IAEA’s questions about this activity.
On a recent trip to Damascus, Grossi sat down with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other high-level officials. He characterized the new administration as “committed to opening up to the world, to international cooperation.” Syria’s diplomatic posture has made a remarkable turnaround. This development follows closely on the heels of the United States and European Union agreeing to lift economic sanctions against the country.
Grossi followed up with some extremely thrilling news. IAEA inspectors will not only return to the reactor site itself in Deir ez-Zor, but to three other related sites. At the time, he said that he wanted to wrap up the controversial inspection process within a few months.
“We need to bring total clarity over certain activities that took place in the past that were, in the judgement of the agency, probably related to nuclear weapons,” – Rafael Grossi.
The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concerns about possible undeclared enriched uranium in Syria. Grossi stated that such materials “can be lying somewhere and could be reused, could be smuggled, could be trafficked.” This anxiety reinforces the need for immediate action to ascertain and resolve Syria’s nuclear status.
Beyond inspection activities, the IAEA stands ready to support Syria in developing its infrastructure for nuclear medicine. We’re sending along diagnostic radiotherapy and oncology equipment. This step has big implications for improving public health results in a country that remains in the wake of many years of conflict.
Grossi’s visit and ongoing negotiations with Syrian officials mark an important turning point for both Syria and the IAEA. While Syria’s recently appointed government is reportedly keen to interact with foreign officials, we hope that this new willingness will help them find greater acceptance on the world stage.
