New Details Emerge on Syria's Secret Nuclear Reactor Program

New information has surfaced regarding the Syrian regime's clandestine efforts to develop nuclear weapons, even after the 2007 Israeli airstrike on a facility near Damascus. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is investigating details of the program, which included a nearly operational secret nuclear reactor hidden from international inspectors. IAEA investigators revealed they discovered a "near-operational" reactor under construction during the Assad regime, possibly just before or during the Syrian civil war. This facility, had it become active, would have represented a "huge step" in Syria's pursuit of unconventional weapons.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that while intentions cannot be definitively determined, it is clear the former regime pursued "covert nuclear pathways." He explained that based on the reactor's design, technical specifications, and its efficiency in producing fissile material suitable for weapons, it was a significant advancement in Syria's attempts to achieve a new level of nuclear capability. Grossi emphasized that the reactor was in an advanced stage of construction and that the regime likely attempted to conceal or sabotage it, but its nature is undeniable.

During their weeks of work in Syria, IAEA investigators also located approximately 73 tons of uranium metal in stockpiles dating back to the former regime's era. These revelations underscore the ongoing concerns about Syria's past nuclear activities and the potential for the proliferation of nuclear materials.