Syria's Atomic Energy Committee announced Tuesday that an International Atomic Energy Agency delegation will arrive shortly to declare 'significant progress,' following yesterday's report by journalist Barak Ravid that agreements were reached to dismantle a remaining nuclear facility from the Assad era. The announcement builds on Syria's earlier confirmation of an accord to remove nuclear material via the IAEA.
Syria's Atomic Energy Committee announced Tuesday that an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegation will arrive shortly to declare 'significant progress' in dismantling a nuclear facility left over from the Assad era. The announcement, made later in the morning, builds on Syria's earlier confirmation at 06:59 Jerusalem of an agreement to remove nuclear material via the IAEA, and on journalist Barak Ravid's report Monday that agreements for the dismantling had been reached.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today, the development follows a broader deal that emerged after Israel threatened to strike the clandestine facility — remnants of the Al-Kibar reactor destroyed in 2007, containing yellowcake uranium and other materials. Axios first revealed Tuesday morning that the US, Israel, and Syria had reached a secret understanding for the IAEA to remove the nuclear material from a site known as 'Site 99.' Syria's Atomic Energy Committee then officially confirmed the agreement, describing transparent cooperation with the IAEA, the US, and friendly states.
The current announcement signals the next operational step — the arrival of IAEA inspectors to verify and certify progress. The 'significant progress' declaration suggests groundwork for the dismantling is already underway.
The exact timing of the delegation's visit and the specific location of the facility have not been disclosed. Further details on the dismantling process remain pending.
5 developments
- DevelopingSyria begins destroying remnants of Assad-era chemical weapons program, UN says
- StrongIAEA chief Grossi: inspectors found tons of nuclear material at undeclared Syrian site
- StrongSyria: Continuing transparent cooperation with IAEA, US after N12 expose on secret nuclear site
- DevelopingIAEA head: Iran, US nearing nuclear deal
Source and signal
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