Syria Officially Acknowledges Possessing Nuclear Material, Vows to Retain It

For the first time, Syria has officially admitted to holding nuclear material, with Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani confirming the regime's possession and intention to keep it under cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This admission follows a recent statement by Syria's Atomic Energy Authority about coordinating with the IAEA to dismantle the previous regime's nuclear program, implicitly acknowledging the material's existence.

Al-Shibani emphasized Syria's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful civilian purposes and assured that the nuclear material would remain under Syrian control with IAEA guarantees. This announcement comes amid a mysterious airstrike last night on the runway of the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, northwest Syria, a strategic location about 70 kilometers from Turkey. Syria attributes the attack to Israel, though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility and denies involvement.

An Israeli source told Fox News that sensitive intelligence was shared with the United States, indicating that Syrian President Ahmad Husayn al-Shara understands he cannot act like the previous regime. The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrett, publicly blamed Israel for the strike, warning that such actions escalate tensions unnecessarily and undermine regional stability. Barrett noted that the al-Shara government has not adopted an aggressive stance or proxy forces and prefers de-escalation with Israel.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrike as unjustified aggression violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling it a dangerous escalation threatening regional security. Syrian President al-Shara recently expressed willingness to pursue a security agreement with Israel involving multiple countries, aiming for comprehensive peace without relinquishing Syria's rights over the occupied Golan Heights.

The developments highlight ongoing tensions in the region, with Syria asserting its nuclear capabilities and facing military pressure, while diplomatic efforts for peace remain tentative.