IAEA: We found 73 tons of uranium in Syria

A classified report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), distributed to member states on Tuesday, revealed that the former Syrian authorities were constructing a nuclear reactor in Deir ez-Zor, in eastern Syria, without informing the Agency of the project or of the associated nuclear facilities and materials. The Agency stated that the site contained “natural uranium metal in the form of clad fuel rods,” noting that verification operations confirmed the presence of approximately 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal. According to Reuters, about 55 tonnes of this quantity were in the form of fuel rods, and the material was located at a site linked to the Deir ez-Zor facility. The Agency confirmed that all these nuclear materials are currently subject to its containment and surveillance measures. The report stated that IAEA inspectors visited several sites in Syria last August to carry out verification activities and were able to establish that the former Syrian authorities had failed to declare nuclear materials, facilities, and activities, as required by the safeguards agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The information verified by the Agency included a nuclear reactor under construction in Deir ez-Zor, a fuel fabrication facility, and another site used for fuel storage.