US Brokered Deal Secures Removal of Nuclear Material From Secret Syrian Site

The Trump administration has reached an agreement with Israel and Syria to remove nuclear material stored at a secret Syrian site known as "Site 99." According to reports based on conversations with senior American and Israeli officials, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will oversee the removal process, which is expected to conclude by the end of the year. The site, used during the Assad regime, contained remnants of Syria's nuclear program, including "yellowcake" uranium ore and other nuclear substances.

Israeli sources confirmed that while the material cannot produce a standard nuclear weapon, it could be used to create a "dirty bomb" that disperses radioactive material via conventional explosives. Israel closely monitored the site and warned the US that it would not tolerate leaving the material there, threatening military action if Syria attempted to access or retain it.

Israel had previously targeted the site's entrances with airstrikes to prevent access. Discussions between Israel and the US lasted over a year, ultimately leading to a diplomatic solution involving Syrian consent and IAEA supervision. Syrian officials initially claimed ignorance of the nuclear material's presence. Recent suspicious movements near the site raised Israeli concerns about Syrian or possibly Turkish attempts to reach the material, prompting the US to urge Israel against military intervention and involve the IAEA.

About three weeks ago, the IAEA and the Syrian government signed an agreement to begin removing the nuclear substances. Although the removal has not yet started, American officials expect the operation to commence soon and finish by year-end.