73 tons of uranium: What was revealed at the secret nuclear site in Syria
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that during a visit to a secret site, which Syria disclosed only in July, 73 tons of natural uranium were located, mostly in the form of fuel rods. The IAEA stated it has established control over the material, praised the Al-Sharaa regime for its transparency, and closed the investigation into Damascus.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported this evening (Tuesday) in a classified report that it has resolved all outstanding questions surrounding its investigation into Syria's nuclear program during the Assad regime, and praised the current administration of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa for its cooperation with inspectors. In the report, parts of which were published by Reuters and AP, it was noted that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, along with a senior team of inspectors, recently visited a secret site whose existence became known to the agency only last July, where 73 tons of natural metallic uranium were located.
While not explicitly stated in the report, this is likely the same secret facility reported last month by the news site "Axios," known as "Site 99." According to that report, the site was developed as part of the Assad regime's secret nuclear program and stored material related to the reactor project in Al-Kibar, which Israel bombed in 2007. Reports indicated that under US mediation, it was agreed that the nuclear material would be removed, but Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shibani later declared that the material would remain in Damascus's possession for "peaceful purposes."
An American official told "Axios" last month that the site contained "Yellowcake"—a powder produced from uranium that can be processed and enriched. While not suitable for nuclear weapons, it could be used to create a "dirty bomb." Israeli officials confirmed that the IDF bombed the entrances to the site shortly after the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 to prevent access, and Jerusalem made it clear to the Donald Trump administration that it would not accept the material remaining at the site.
In its new report, the IAEA notes that Syria notified it of the new site in a letter dated July 17 and invited inspectors for verification. During the visit led by Grossi, 73 tons of natural metallic uranium were found, including 55 tons in the form of fuel rods with metallic cladding. The IAEA stated, "All this nuclear material is now subject to the agency's containment and surveillance measures."
The agency announced the closure of its investigation into the secret nuclear program from the Assad era and confirmed that the Al-Kibar facility was indeed a nuclear reactor. An IAEA team visited the site on August 28 and identified cooling infrastructure consistent with a nuclear reactor. The IAEA praised the Al-Sharaa regime for its "transparency and cooperation," which helped clarify past activities. In a separate report, the agency determined that it has not been able to resolve outstanding questions regarding undeclared nuclear sites in Iran.
