Israel and US Reach Secret Deal to Remove Nuclear Material from Syrian Site

Senior American and Israeli officials revealed that after months of covert negotiations, an agreement was reached to remove nuclear material from a secret Syrian location known as "Site 99." Israel had threatened military action if the material was not evacuated, while the Trump administration sought to avoid armed conflict. The deal involves the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) soon removing nuclear substances stored at the site, which had been monitored by Israel for two years.

The material is linked to Syria's Al-Kibar reactor project, which Israel bombed in 2007. According to officials, the site contains "yellowcake" uranium powder and other nuclear remnants from the project. Although the material is not suitable for standard nuclear weapons, it could be used in a "dirty bomb" to disperse radioactive contamination. Israel warned it would strike again if the material was not removed or if Syria attempted to access it.

The US and Israel concluded that securing the consent of Syria's new government was necessary for the removal. Syrian authorities initially denied knowledge of the material, but recent suspicious activity near the site raised concerns that Syria, possibly with Turkish assistance, was trying to access it. The Trump administration urged Israel to refrain from military action and involved the IAEA in the process.

About three weeks ago, the IAEA signed an agreement with the Syrian government to extract the nuclear material. Syria's Atomic Energy Commission later confirmed the cooperation, emphasizing transparent collaboration with the IAEA, the US, and allied countries to dismantle the legacy of the previous regime's secret nuclear program. An IAEA delegation is expected to arrive in Damascus soon to oversee implementation, with a joint statement planned to highlight significant progress, including the removal and neutralization of radioactive substances accumulated by Assad's regime.