Overview

• A confidential report to member states says inspectors found a significant number of anthropogenic natural uranium particles at one of three locations functionally tied to the Deir al-Zor site.
• IAEA analysis indicates some particles are consistent with conversion of uranium ore concentrate to uranium oxide, a step typical of reactor fuel cycles.
• Syria’s current authorities told inspectors they have no information explaining the traces and granted additional access in June after pledging full transparency to Director General Rafael Grossi.
• The agency plans further visits to Deir al-Zor to conduct more analysis, review documentation, and interview individuals, while evaluating results from other sampled sites.
• The IAEA previously assessed in 2011 that the structure destroyed in a 2007 Israeli airstrike was very likely an undeclared reactor, but it has not reached a final conclusion on Syria’s past activities.