IAEA Board Ends Syria Nuclear Probe After Two Decades

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-member Board of Governors voted unanimously on Wednesday to close its long-running investigation into Syria's past undeclared nuclear activities. The resolution, proposed by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, formally ends a probe that began nearly two decades ago.

The investigation centered on a reactor in Deir el-Zour, eastern Syria, which was built with North Korean assistance and configured to produce plutonium for potential weapons use. The facility was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 2007, after which Syria leveled the site and failed to fully answer IAEA questions.

In 2011, the board found Syria in non-compliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations and referred the matter to the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its safeguards agreement, Syria was required to declare all nuclear material and activities to the agency.

Following the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Syria's new authorities agreed to grant IAEA inspectors access to suspected nuclear sites. During an August visit, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and his team observed excavation at the Deir el-Zour reactor and inspected other locations, including fuel fabrication and storage facilities. They also uncovered 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal, 55 tonnes of which were in fuel rod form, all now under IAEA surveillance.

The resolution terminates the 2011 non-compliance provisions but stresses that Syria remains bound by its treaty obligations. It also encourages continued cooperation, including excavation work, and requests Grossi to keep the board updated on ongoing activities. The board's action was met with applause from delegates, reflecting approval of Syria's new transparency.