IAEA says Syria built a nuclear reactor in Deir Az Zor under al-Assad

UN watchdog says Syria ‘failed to report nuclear material, facilities and activities’ under Bashar al-Assad’s rule.Published On 2 Sep 20262 Sep 2026The United Nations nuclear watchdog has confirmed that Syria tried to construct a nuclear reactor in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor under ousted former President Bashar al-Assad.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a confidential report seen by news agencies on Tuesday, said it visited several sites in Syria in August and carried out verification work.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What’s behind the SDF’s deal with Damascus?list 2 of 4Syria’s president makes first Visa payment after sanctions removallist 3 of 4‘Opening a new chapter’: Syria reopens embassy in Libya after talkslist 4 of 4Syria is choosing diplomacy with Israel, but can its approach last?end of listBased on observations at the Deir Az Zor site, the agency said it confirms “that the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor”. The agency said it would continue to monitor the activities at the site “as the excavation work progresses”.Syria was believed to have operated an extensive undecl...