IAEA says Syria built a nuclear reactor in Deir Az Zor under al-Assad

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1. 12d ago

   IAEA Finds Evidence of Nuclear Reactor in Deir Ez-Zor

   The International Atomic Energy Agency found that infrastructure at a Syrian site in Deir Ez-Zor is consistent with a nuclear reactor design. The UN watchdog identified 73 tons of uranium at the secret location, which was built under the administration of former President Assad. This discovery follows a two-decade investigation by the agency. Syria has since declared newly discovered nuclear materials to the IAEA, marking progress in the probe while the agency reports no such progress in its investigation into Iran.

   Why it matters

   The site in question was previously hit by an Israeli strike. This discovery confirms long-standing suspicions regarding Syria's clandestine nuclear ambitions. The findings provide a material breakthrough in a probe that has spanned twenty years.

   What is confirmed

   • The IAEA found that infrastructure in Deir Ez-Zor is consistent with a nuclear reactor design.
   • Syria built a nuclear reactor in Deir Ez-Zor under former President Assad.
   • The IAEA identified 73 tons of uranium at the secret Syrian nuclear site.
   • Syria declared newly discovered nuclear materials to the IAEA.
   • The IAEA reports progress in the Syria investigation but none in the Iran investigation.

   What to watch next

   • Further disclosures from Syria regarding the origin of the 73 tons of uranium
   • IAEA updates on the specific capabilities of the Deir Ez-Zor reactor
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. Reuters — IAEA reports progress in Syria investigation, none in Iran
   2. Al Jazeera — IAEA says Syria built a nuclear reactor in Deir Az Zor under al-Assad
   3. The Times of Israel — IAEA says findings at Syrian site hit by Israel ‘consistent with a nuclear reactor’
   4. The Telegraph — Assad was building a nuclear reactor in Syria
   5. Arms Control Association — Syria Declares Newly Discovered Nuclear Materials to IAEA
   6. FOX4KC.com — UN report finds Syria was building a nuclear reactor in Deir el-Zour under former President Assad
   7. Ynetnews — 73 tons of uranium revealed at secret nuclear site in Syria
   8. Bloomberg.com — Syrian Nuclear Discovery Unlocks Two-Decade Probe by UN Watchdog
   9. NewsCord — IAEA Says Deir Ez-Zor Infrastructure Matches Nuclear Reactor Design, Finds 73 Tons Uranium: how 18 outlets framed it
   10. The Killeen Daily Herald — Syria was building a nuclear reactor in Deir el-Zour under Assad, UN reports
   confidence 100%