Vienna: Syria has placed 73 tons of natural uranium under the supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced. Speaking via video to the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference, al-Shaibani stated that the material would remain safely within Syria.
According to Anadolu Agency, al-Shaibani revealed that the IAEA Board of Governors unanimously decided on September 9 to close Syria's nuclear non-compliance file, which had been open since 2011, and permanently remove it from its agenda. He portrayed the decision as a pivotal moment that concluded a 15-year period, ushering in a new phase characterized by transparency, cooperation, and mutual trust.
Al-Shaibani expressed gratitude towards Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia for sponsoring and submitting the resolution, along with other countries that supported the initiative. He mentioned that Damascus had sent an official letter to the IAEA on July 17, disclosing the presence of nuclear material at an undeclared site. Subsequently, Syria signed a memorandum of understanding and a roadmap with the agency on July 29 regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Furthermore, al-Shaibani noted that Syria had opened the Deir ez-Zor site to the agency, with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visiting it on August 16 after nearly two decades of closure. Syrian and IAEA experts have begun efforts to remove remnants of the reactor from beneath layers of reinforced concrete. Damascus has also provided design information and nuclear material inventory reports requested by the IAEA Board of Governors since 2011.
Al-Shaibani highlighted that Syria's Atomic Energy Commission addressed unresolved issues within weeks despite limited resources. He reiterated Syria's call for the implementation of a 1995 resolution on establishing a Middle East devoid of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, advocating for all facilities in the region to be placed under comprehensive IAEA safeguards.
Addressing concerns regarding Israel, al-Shaibani accused Israeli forces of violating Syrian sovereignty and attacking Syrian territory contrary to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and international law. He urged for effective international and diplomatic pressure to halt the attacks and compel Israel to comply with the 1974 agreement, advocating for a full Israeli withdrawal to the pre-December 8, 2024 lines. Al-Shaibani warned that continued inaction could threaten international peace and security, undermining the principles of international law.
He outlined Syria's intention to employ peaceful nuclear technologies to rehabilitate nuclear medicine infrastructure for cancer treatment, utilize isotope technologies in agriculture and groundwater management, enhance radiation monitoring of food, and support scientific research and energy production. Al-Shaibani emphasized that Syria's atomic program would operate under international supervision and stringent safeguards, seeking benefits from nuclear technology for healing, nourishment, and illumination.