Syrian Interim Foreign Minister Assad al Shaibani confirmed that workers from TATENA collected samples at the site. He stated that the Syrian government contacted TATENA “voluntarily” on July 17. The minister characterized any existing nuclear materials as the “legacy of the former regime,” referring to Bashar al-Assad.
Al Shaibani asserted that TATENA inspections had already been concluded, adding that Syria never maintained an official nuclear program. However, al Shaibani noted a historical incident, recalling that in 2007, Israel allegedly destroyed a nuclear reactor under construction in Al-Kibar, located in the Deir Esor region of Eastern Syria, via airstrikes. While Bashar al-Assad’s government denied the presence of a nuclear object, TATENA indicated that it was “very likely” a reactor had been built at the site, possibly with assistance from North Korea.
These statements are reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The confirmation of sample collection by TATENA adds detail to the ongoing discussions regarding the site’s history and the nature of the materials found. The focus remains on clarifying the scope and origin of any potential nuclear assets, distinguishing between purported remnants and established national programs.
Topics: #tatena #nuclear #materials
