Syria Officially Confirms Possession of Nuclear Material Amid Rising Tensions with Israel

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad officially declared on Tuesday that the Damascus regime possesses nuclear material and intends to retain it. This unprecedented announcement follows a recent hint by the Syrian Atomic Energy Authority about the existence of nuclear substances in the country. Mekdad emphasized Syria's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful civilian purposes and assured that the materials would be securely stored under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The statement comes amid heightened security tensions after an alleged Israeli airstrike targeted the military airport runway at Abu al-Duhur in Idlib province, near the Turkish border, overnight Monday to Tuesday. Washington attributed the strike to Israel, which has not officially claimed responsibility. Reports last week indicated a secret agreement between the Trump administration, Israel, and Syria for the IAEA to remove nuclear material stored at "Site 99," which includes yellowcake uranium and remnants from the 2007 Israeli bombing of the Al-Kibar reactor.

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrett criticized the Israeli strikes as unnecessary escalations that undermine regional stability, noting that the Assad government has refrained from aggressive actions and prefers de-escalation with Israel. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrike as an unjustified aggression violating Syria's sovereignty and warned of dangerous escalations threatening regional security.

President Bashar al-Assad recently expressed openness to security negotiations with Israel, aiming to avoid conflict and potentially pave the way for comprehensive peace without relinquishing Syria's claims to the occupied Golan Heights. The developments underscore growing friction between Damascus and Jerusalem, raising questions about possible further Israeli military actions in Syria.