IAEA Reports Secret Assad Era Syrian Nuclear Reactor Was Nearly Complete

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Monday that a secret nuclear reactor built under the government of Bashar al-Assad was almost complete. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated that the reactor was configured to be very efficient in the production of fissile material, which could have been used directly to manufacture nuclear weapons. Inspectors recently visited two sites, including one in Deir Ezzor and a second undisclosed location reported by current Syrian authorities.

In addition to the reactor, the IAEA discovered a fuel fabrication plant and a storage location for nuclear fuel, uranium scrap, and waste. The agency reported finding approximately 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal. Grossi noted that the previous government pursued clandestine activities to hide these operations from the world. He also suggested it was possible that Syrian authorities performed explosions to hinder potential investigations.

The site in Deir Ezzor had been shut for 18 years. Israel admitted in 2018 to carrying out a top secret air raid on the location in 2007. In 2008, United States officials accused Syria of seeking to build a secret reactor and acknowledged that Israel had destroyed it. While the IAEA had previously suggested the project involved North Korean assistance, Grossi stated he has not been tasked to further investigate those connections at this time.

A draft resolution is expected to be submitted to the IAEA board this week to decide whether to close the file opened on the matter in 2011. Meanwhile, the US based Institute for Science and International Security stated that while the new revelations provide confirmation, they do not fill in all missing information regarding the scope of the project or Syria's cooperation with North Korea.