Syria · 01 September, 2026 · 3 min read
IAEA Finds Deir al-Zor Cooling Structure Matches Nuclear Reactor, Reports 73 Tons Uranium
Deir ez-Zor infrastructure matches a nuclear reactor, per IAEA findings. IAEA reports about 73 tons natural uranium at the site.
26 outlets, one story, no spin found.
2 of 4 outlets skipped it: reactor is described as gas-cooled graphite moderate.
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IAEA confirms reactor match
The International Atomic Energy Agency disclosed in a confidential report on Tuesday that inspection results at a site in Deir al-Zor, Syria, showed that the cooling structure matches that of a nuclear reactor.
“the agency confirms that the cooling structure revealed matches that of a nuclear reactor”
The IAEA said it found 73 tons of natural uranium at a site inside Syria, including about 55 tons in the form of 8808 fuel rods and about 18 tons of uranium scrap and waste.
The agency said its assessment is based on observations conducted at the Deir al-Zor site and that it will continue to monitor the activities at the site where inspections are currently taking place.
In the same reporting, the IAEA welcomed Damascus’s transparency and cooperation, saying it helps facilitate the disposition of outstanding safeguards issues related to past Syrian nuclear activities.
The report also tied the findings to the covert nuclear program developed by the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, centered on the secret Al-Kibar nuclear reactor.
Damascus vows custody
Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibliani (Asad al-Shibani) affirmed earlier this month that his country adheres to its right to use nuclear energy for civilian and peaceful purposes, and said the nuclear materials at the “secret” site inside Syria will remain in the custody of the Syrian state under IAEA safeguards.
At a joint press conference in Damascus with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Al-Shibliani said, “Damascus will work to create the necessary conditions to handle and securely store these materials, in coordination with the IAEA.”
The IAEA report described the agency’s conclusions as based on information provided by Syria and on verification work it carried out at several sites, while noting that previous Syrian authorities “had not disclosed nuclear materials, facilities, or activities.”
The IAEA also said it discovered a fuel fabrication plant intended for the Deir ez-Zor reactor, in addition to uranium remnants, and that its two-day visit included two locations, one in Deir ez-Zor and another housing nuclear materials recently discovered by Syria.
The agency stated on Tuesday that it “will continue to monitor activities at the site,” which is currently undergoing excavation and exploration work.
Reactor fuel, wider stakes
The IAEA report circulated to member states said the former Syrian authorities failed to report nuclear materials, facilities, and activities as required by the verification agreement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“functionally linked" to the Deir ez-Zor site”
Inspectors visited the Deir ez-Zor site on August 29 to “follow up on the progress of drilling” and examined a cooling structure uncovered at the site, with the agency confirming it matches a nuclear reactor’s cooling system.
The report said three locations were “functionally linked” to the Deir ez-Zor site, including one associated with “conversion and/or fuel fabrication” and another used for “temporary storage of construction materials.”
Reuters reported that the report also confirmed that Syria was manufacturing fuel for the reactor and that the authorities did not declare the facilities and nuclear materials related to it.
Separately, Reuters said the IAEA resolved outstanding questions from its Syria investigation but made no progress in Iran, adding that the report on Iran showed the agency’s “lack of information about this nuclear material and access to facilities to verify it is a matter of proliferation concern” after June 2025 attacks.