Israel, US, and Syria Reach Secret Deal to Remove Syrian Nuclear Material

After months of secret negotiations, Israel, the United States, and Syria have agreed on a confidential arrangement to remove nuclear material remaining from the Assad regime, stored at a secret Syrian site known as "Site 99." The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to participate and soon begin extracting the materials from the facility. This development follows concerns about a potential Israeli military strike on the site and fears of escalation involving Turkey.

The site, monitored closely by Israel, reportedly contains "yellowcake" uranium and other remnants linked to Syria's covert nuclear program, which included the Al-Kibar reactor destroyed by Israel in 2007. Although the materials cannot currently be used to produce nuclear weapons, there is worry they could be exploited to create a dirty bomb. Israel has insisted that the materials cannot remain after the Assad regime's fall and has previously attacked access points to the complex to prevent use.

US officials noted that Syria initially claimed ignorance of the materials' presence. The Trump administration urged Israel to avoid military action while working diplomatically with Damascus and the IAEA to resolve the issue. Recently, unusual activity near the site raised Israeli concerns that Syria might be attempting to access the materials, possibly with Turkish assistance. This prompted Washington to request Israel refrain from military intervention and to involve the IAEA in the process.

About three weeks ago, the IAEA and the Syrian government reached an agreement to remove the nuclear materials. Although the materials remain onsite, the removal process is expected to begin soon and be completed by the end of the year. A senior US official expressed optimism, stating, "We think everyone is satisfied with the outcome and hope to start and complete the removal process soon."