The United States has negotiated a plan to remove nuclear material from a clandestine site in Syria, following an agreement with the governments of Syria and Israel. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will oversee the safe removal of the nuclear material from a site known as 'Site 99,' which contains remnants from former President Bashar Assad's nuclear program, according to a report from Axios.
The nuclear material includes yellowcake, which is uranium ore powder that can be processed but cannot be directly used to create a nuclear weapon. Concerns were raised by Israel that the material could potentially be used in a dirty bomb. The negotiations, which involved the U.S., Syria, Israel, and Turkey, took place over several months and concluded recently.
Initial discussions were held between the U.S. and Israel, who decided to seek approval from the Syrian government. Reports indicate that the new Syrian government was unaware of the nuclear material's presence. The urgency of the situation increased after Israel observed activity at the site, leading to fears that Syria might attempt to access the material. The U.S. then involved the IAEA, which agreed to extract the material safely. A U.S. official expressed optimism about the outcome, stating that all parties involved appeared satisfied with the agreement and that the removal process could begin soon, ideally before the end of the year.
The Assad government had previously pursued a nuclear program in the mid-2000s, which was abandoned after an Israeli airstrike in 2007 destroyed the main reactor at Al Kibar. The recent negotiations reflect a developing relationship between the U.S. and the new Syrian government, which has been supported by the Trump administration in hopes of steering it toward a moderate direction.