The United States, Israel and Syria have reached an understanding to transfer nuclear material from a secret Syrian site to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) custody, following months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts .
Under the arrangement brokered by the Trump administration, the IAEA will take custody of nuclear material located at a secret Syrian facility known as Site 99 . The material had long been a source of concern for both the United States and Israel .
US officials confirmed that behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts had been ongoing for several months to resolve the matter. The current Syrian government has reportedly cooperated fully in providing access to the site and facilitating the transfer .
Syria’s nuclear program has been under international scrutiny for years. The country’s former government under President Bashar al-Assad faced allegations of operating a covert nuclear program and constructing the Al-Kibar reactor .
In 2007, Israel conducted an airstrike on the Al-Kibar site, which it suspected of being a nuclear reactor under construction with North Korean assistance . According to some reports, up to 10 North Korean personnel may have been killed in the strike and their remains reportedly repatriated .
Following the fall of the Assad government, the IAEA gained access to nuclear sites in Syria. China has previously expressed appreciation for IAEA Director General Grossi’s efforts to address the Syrian nuclear issue and encouraged Syria to fulfill its safeguards obligations .
According to the report, Israel had indicated that it might conduct further military action against Site 99 if its concerns were not addressed . Israel also reportedly feared that Turkey could assist Syria in acquiring nuclear material from Site 99, adding urgency to the situation .
The US administration reportedly requested that Israel refrain from any military action and involved the IAEA in the process . The agreement now allows the nuclear material to be placed under IAEA custody.
Preparations are currently underway to transfer the material to the IAEA. However, final timing and procedural details have not been disclosed .
US officials stated that the current Syrian government has cooperated fully regarding access to the Site 99 material and its transfer. The IAEA has not yet issued a public statement on the arrangement.
The focus now shifts to the logistical implementation of the transfer, with IAEA personnel expected to oversee the operation. The development represents a significant step in addressing long-standing nuclear concerns in the region and preventing the material from falling into unauthorized hands.
The US-Israel-Syria agreement to transfer nuclear material from Site 99 to IAEA custody marks a notable diplomatic breakthrough. By addressing Israeli security concerns and securing the material through international oversight, the arrangement could help stabilize a potentially volatile situation in the region.
