"Atomic Energy": Syria was close to possessing a nuclear weapon in 2007 - Sarmad

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday that the nuclear reactor Syria had nearly completed in 2007, before it was destroyed by Israeli aircraft, was of a type capable of rapidly producing fissile materials usable in nuclear weapons.

The IAEA described its investigations into Syria’s secret nuclear activities under the Assad family regime as a “historic achievement.” The probe revealed the existence of approximately 73 tons of natural uranium metal, most of it in the form of reactor fuel.

In a report addressed to member states, the agency reaffirmed its previous conclusion that the site struck in eastern Syria’s Deir ez-Zor governorate was a nuclear reactor under construction, and that its fuel had been manufactured in Syria, which should have been reported to the agency at the time.

Grossi said at a press conference: “This was a highly efficient reactor for producing fissile materials that could be used directly to manufacture nuclear weapons,” adding that it was “nearly complete.”

He stated that this posed “a matter of great concern with regard to nuclear proliferation,” while cautioning that it was “not possible to judge” the intentions of the authorities then in power.

The new Syrian authorities, following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, committed to cooperating with the IAEA in answering questions related to so-called “nuclear safeguards,” a process for accounting for and monitoring nuclear materials.

Speaking before the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors, Grossi said: “After verification and access to the necessary information were provided by Syria… the Agency was able to clarify and resolve outstanding safeguards questions related to Syria’s past nuclear activities.” He added: “I welcome Syria’s transparency and cooperation with the Agency, which facilitated the resolution of these issues.”