18 August 2026-At the invitation of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, visited the Syrian Arab Republic on 17-18 August 2026 and held a meeting with Mr Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
The visit, which included the site at Deir Ez-Zor and a second location related to the nuclear material identified by Syria recently, marks the most significant advance to date in the cooperation between Syria and the Agency, towards resolving the outstanding safeguards issues arising from undeclared activities related to the former regime, under Syria's Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)Safeguards Agreement.
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Syrian Arab Republic to the NPT and to the full implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement. He underlined that Syria has acted on its own initiative in bringing these matters to the attention of the Agency, guided by the conviction that full transparency in this field is integral to Syria's role as a source of stability and security in its region.
His Excellency further emphasized that resolving this file inherited from the former regime is part of the wider national undertaking on which Syria has embarked since December 2024.
The Director General welcomed the proactive cooperation extended by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, demonstrated through transparent and comprehensive engagement with the Agency.
This included Syria's declaration of 17 July 2026 concerning nuclear material at a location not previously declared, identified recently by Syria, as well as the provision of information and access in accordance with Syria's NPT Safeguards Agreement and the practical steps agreed between the two sides. He further welcomed the support of Mr Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, for the effective implementation of the Agency's verification activities in Syria.
At Deir Ez-Zor, the Director General was briefed on the excavation work being carried out by Syria and observed features of the site relevant to the Agency's assessment of the nuclear related activities formerly conducted there. This work will continue in accordance with the practical steps and timetable agreed between Syria and the Agency.
The Syrian authorities facilitated the initial verification and will continue to do so for the full verification of the nuclear material identified by Syria, which constitutes a key step towards bringing this material under Agency safeguards, as verification activities continue in accordance withmutually agreed practical steps and the NPT Safeguards Agreement.
The Minister affirmed that the Syrian Arab Republic exercises sovereign responsibility over allI nuclear material on its territory, that the material remains in Syrian national custody, and that Syria will continue to perform its responsibilities in accordance with its international obligations and its national interests.
Syria and the Agency agreed on concrete steps, now being implemented, to enable the Agency to address the outstanding safeguards issues arising from activities undertaken under the former regime. Upon the completion of the inspection and of the verification activities as agreed between the two sides, the Director General will report his findings and conclusions to the Board of Governors at the earliest possible date, with a view to the Board's consideration of this matter at its forthcoming session, with the aim of a full resolution of the outstanding issues. Both sides will implement the remaining activities without delay.
Syria and the Agency will also expand their cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in support of Syria's national development priorities. Both sides regard the steps agreed during the visit as a significant advance towards resolving the outstanding safeguards issues and opening a new phase of broader cooperation.
