The Assad regime was building a nuclear reactor in Syria configured to produce nuclear weapons

The nuclear reactor secretly built by Syria in Deir al-Zor province was nearly complete and had been configured to rapidly produce fissile material usable in nuclear weapons. The conclusion was presented on Monday by Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following the completion of an investigation into nuclear activities carried out under the Assad family’s regime.

The IAEA described the investigation as a “historic discovery.” The inquiry identified approximately 73 metric tons of natural uranium, mainly in the form of reactor fuel. According to Grossi, the site bombed by Israeli aircraft 19 years ago was a nuclear reactor under construction, and the fuel had been produced in Syria.

Inspectors gained access to the site in August, after Syrian authorities officially notified the agency in a letter sent on July 17. To reach the hidden material, they had to demolish walls and pass through narrow corridors amid scattered boxes.

After Bashar al-Assad was ousted at the end of 2024, Syria’s new authorities pledged to cooperate with the IAEA. The agency says that the access granted and the information provided made it possible to clarify outstanding issues concerning Syria’s previous nuclear activities.

IAEA says Syrian reactor destroyed by Israel could produce nuclear material