A Historic Nuclear Find in Syria
On August 18, 2026, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, an Argentine diplomat, announced from Damascus that the agency had confirmed the presence of 'tons of natural uranium' at a site in Syria that the previous government never declared. According to Grossi, the material 'could have been used for illicit purposes,' but further analysis is underway.
The discovery came after Syria's new authorities, who took power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, voluntarily notified the IAEA on July 17, 2026 about the existence of the material. This marks a dramatic shift toward transparency after decades of secrecy.
'We are beginning to turn the page, and turning the page does not mean forgetting the past,' Grossi said from the Syrian capital.
What Was Found?
Grossi personally visited the 'tons of natural uranium' at an 'undeclared location outside Damascus.' The mission also included a site in Deir Ezzor, in northeastern Syria, making him the first IAEA Director General to enter that area in 18 years. Specialists took samples and also inspected a facility storing large quantities of graphite linked to past nuclear activities.
Context: The Legacy of Assad's Nuclear Program
The undeclared site is tied to a reactor that Syria allegedly built with North Korean help at Deir al-Zour. That reactor was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in 2007. In 2011, the IAEA concluded that Damascus was not complying with its obligations, an issue the Assad regime never resolved. Now, the new government is cooperating fully, as Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani called the site a 'legacy left by the old regime.'
A Landmark Agreement: Material Stays in Syria
Under the agreement, the uranium will remain on Syrian soil but will be subject to the IAEA's safeguards system, which ensures that nuclear material is not diverted for military use. The agency will inventory and continuously monitor it. Syria reaffirmed its 'sovereign and legal right' to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
18 Months of Intense Negotiation
This outcome is the result of 18 months of diplomacy between the IAEA and Syria's new leadership. Following a meeting between Grossi and President Ahmed al-Sharaa in June 2025, the agency gained unrestricted access to relevant sites. Sampling revealed traces of processed natural uranium, but assessments indicate 'no immediate risk' to people or the environment.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Discovery date: August 18, 2026
- Notification to IAEA: July 17, 2026
- Material: Tons of natural uranium
- Locations: Undeclared site near Damascus and Deir Ezzor
- Custody: Remains in Syria under IAEA safeguards
- Risk assessment: No immediate danger
Grossi's UN Candidacy Gains Momentum
This success comes at a pivotal moment for Grossi, who is one of seven candidates vying to replace António Guterres as UN Secretary-General. In the first preliminary vote at the Security Council, Grossi placed third with seven positive votes, two negative, and six abstentions, trailing Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana. The next vote is scheduled for August 21, 2026. His direct involvement in resolving this nuclear dossier adds a powerful credential to his bid, reinforcing his image as a global diplomat committed to peace and security.