IAEA inspectors discovered uranium particles at a Syrian site suspected to have been part of a clandestine nuclear programme run by the former government. Environmental samples from three locations linked to the Deir el-Zour desert site contained a significant number of anthropogenic natural uranium particles. Some particles are consistent with conversion of uranium ore concentrate to uranium oxide, a signature typical of a nuclear power reactor. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi reported the findings to the agency board. Syrian authorities indicated they had no information to explain the particles and have repeatedly denied allegations of a covert reactor. The IAEA has urged full Syrian cooperation.
The United Nations' nuclear watchdog has said its inspectors discovered uranium particles at a site in Syria it suspects was once used as part of a clandestine nuclear programme run by the former government of Bashar al-Assad. Last year, inspectors visited and took environmental samples at three locations that were allegedly functionally related to the remote desert site Deir el-Zour, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spokesman Fredrik Dahl said in a statement on Tuesday.
Analysis revealed a significant number of anthropogenic natural uranium particles in samples taken at one of the three locations. Some of these uranium particles are consistent with the conversion of uranium ore concentrate to uranium oxide, said Dahl. This would be typical of a nuclear power reactor. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi reported these findings to the agency's board of directors on Monday in a report on developments in Syria.
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