IAEA has released updated data on uranium traces in Syria related to the investigation of the building destroyed in Deir ez-Zor, which Israel razed in 2007. The site itself had previously been regarded as a potentially undeclared nuclear reactor. Official conclusions emphasize the link to former nuclear activities and the need for further verification.
In 2011, the agency concluded that the building, allegedly, was a reactor that Damascus was supposed to declare. Since then the IAEA has continued to analyze the data. Last year, according to a confidential Reuters report, environmental samples were obtained from three undisclosed locations that were allegedly linked to Deir ez-Zor.
Key findings and next steps for the IAEA
“A significant amount of natural uranium particles in samples taken at one of the three locations. Analysis of these particles showed that the uranium has an anthropogenic origin.”
– IAEA
The report confirms the anthropogenic nature of the traces, meaning they derive from technological processing rather than natural enrichment. At the same time the document stresses that this is not yet a definitive conclusion about the significance of the detected traces and their context within the safeguards framework.
The Syrian side stated that there is no information that would explain the presence of such uranium particles.
In June this year, authorities again granted the IAEA access to the facility to collect new samples.
During a meeting that month between IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi and the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Syria expressed willingness for greater transparency and cooperation with the Agency to clarify retrospective aspects of its nuclear activities.
Grossi asked for support for returning to Deir ez-Zor in the coming months for further analysis, access to relevant documentation, and discussions with the parties responsible for past actions.
The report also notes that the IAEA plans to visit Deir ez-Zor and assess the results of samples taken at another location. After analysis and agreement on the conclusions, the Agency may clarify the safeguards questions concerning Syria’s past nuclear activities and bring the case to a close.
“The current Syrian authorities stated that they have no information that could explain the presence of such uranium particles”
– Syrian authorities
After these steps the IAEA plans to continue monitoring and publish new data to help fully understand the history of Syria’s nuclear activities and ensure compliance with safeguards.