Syria's nuclear facility from the Assad era was configured to produce material suitable for nuclear weapons, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated on Monday that the reactor, which is currently under investigation by the UN nuclear watchdog with the cooperation of Syria's new authorities, could have generated fissile material for weapon fabrication.

Grossi's remarks follow a confidential report from the IAEA last week detailing verification activities at several Syrian sites in August. Observations at the Deir Az Zor site indicated that its "cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor," the agency reported. The IAEA plans to continue monitoring the site as excavation progresses.

Syria was long believed to have operated an undeclared nuclear program under former President Bashar al-Assad, which included a North Korean-built reactor in Deir Az Zor. This program only came to light after Israeli airstrikes destroyed the facility in 2007. Syria subsequently demolished the site and provided incomplete responses to the IAEA's inquiries.

Inspectors visiting the Deir Az Zor site in August had to "tear down walls" and navigate "very difficult and narrow passages" to access hidden nuclear material, Grossi described. He noted that "boxes scattered all over the place" were found at the site. The key development, he emphasized, is that "this material now is under safeguards" of the IAEA, with inspectors having successfully installed cameras.

The IAEA previously stated that the former Syrian authorities failed to declare nuclear material, facilities, and activities. Beyond the Deir Az Zor reactor, the agency identified a fuel fabrication plant and a store for nuclear fuel, uranium scrap, and waste.

During their recent visit, IAEA inspectors also examined a previously undeclared site. Syria's current administration, which assumed power after overthrowing Assad in 2024, informed the agency of this site in July and invited inspectors to investigate.

Israel, widely believed to possess its own undeclared nuclear weapons program, is the sole nuclear-armed state in the Middle East. The country neither confirms nor denies its nuclear capabilities.

The IAEA's ongoing investigation aims to fully clarify the nature and extent of Syria's past nuclear activities and ensure all nuclear material is accounted for under international safeguards.