VIENNA, Sept 9 (Reuters) – The IAEA’s 35‑member Board of Governors adopted a resolution on Wednesday that puts to rest concerns about Syria’s clandestine nuclear activities under the former Assad regime, noting that the new authorities have cooperated fully to settle all outstanding issues.
Following Israel’s 2007 strike on a facility in eastern Deir al‑Zor—which it alleged was a nearly completed secret reactor—the IAEA repeatedly called on Syria to disclose its nuclear programme, a request that went unanswered for years.
In 2011 the Board found Syria in violation of its non‑proliferation obligations and referred the matter to the UN Security Council. After the fall of Bashar al‑Assad in 2024, Syria’s interim leadership pledged to work with the agency to clarify the past activities.
A confidential IAEA report circulated to member states last week and viewed by Reuters confirmed that all remaining questions had been addressed, and the Wednesday resolution declared that Syria is no longer in non‑compliance with its safeguards commitments.
The resolution, sponsored by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, states that the Board “welcomes the transparency and cooperation of the Syrian Arab Republic and commends it for the steps taken to resolve its non‑compliance.”
Adopted by consensus—meaning no member state raised an objection—the decision was announced at a closed‑door session, diplomats said.
The IAEA assessment also concluded that the site hit in 2007 was very likely a nuclear reactor, with fuel fabricated domestically. Inspectors located roughly 73 metric tons of natural uranium metal in Syria, most of it in fuel rod form.
That uranium stock remains under IAEA monitoring, and Syria has indicated it will retain the material within its borders.
Reported by Francois Murphy; edited by Alex Richardson.