Syria says IAEA to announce progress on nuclear materials

Syria is preparing to host a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the coming days, with the nation's Atomic Energy Commission anticipating the announcement of "significant progress" on the issue of nuclear materials. This development follows years of scrutiny over Syria's past nuclear activities, particularly concerning a site in Deir al-Zor that Israel bombed in 2007, suspecting it was a nuclear reactor.

Since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria's new leadership has pledged cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog to address legacy issues. The IAEA had previously reported finding traces of uranium at the Deir al-Zor site, one of three locations investigated for alleged functional links to the suspected reactor. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi had indicated plans for further work to achieve clarity on these past activities.

Recent reports suggest potential diplomatic understandings involving the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Syria, and Israel regarding the removal of nuclear material from a clandestine site. However, a Syrian official indicated that discussions with the IAEA are ongoing and no final agreement has been reached, emphasizing that Syria is fulfilling its obligations without Israeli involvement in this specific process.