The United States, Israel, and the Syrian government have reached an agreement regarding nuclear materials located in a secret facility in Syria.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to remove these materials following agreements reached by the United States with Syria and Israel.
US and Israeli officials told Axios that Washington and Tel Aviv have been conducting talks for over a year regarding the nuclear materials in the Syrian facility.
Contents of Site 99
US officials claimed that the facility contains 'yellowcake'—uranium concentrate used in the early stages of nuclear fuel production—and other nuclear materials remaining from the Al Kibar project.
Israeli officials claimed that the former Bashar al-Assad administration hid certain nuclear materials from the Al Kibar nuclear reactor project in a facility called 'Site 99'.
Israeli officials reportedly warned the United States that Israel could 'strike the region' if the nuclear materials are not removed from the facility.
US officials stated that Washington requested Israel not to take any military steps regarding the nuclear materials.
Syrian Response and IAEA Involvement
The IAEA has begun preparations after signing an agreement with Syria to remove the nuclear materials from the facility.
The Syrian Atomic Energy Commission stated in a written statement that cooperation is ongoing with the United States and friendly countries to address the legacy of the previous regime and support the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The Commission stated that work is continuing to activate Syria's full membership in the IAEA to support the peaceful use of nuclear energy in areas such as health, food, and scientific research.
The Syrian Atomic Energy Commission called for the establishment of an international committee of experts to provide technical and legal support, noting that technical capabilities are limited and sufficient international support has not been provided to date.
According to the Commission, Syria will host an IAEA delegation in the coming days, during which progress made in the field of nuclear energy will be announced with a joint statement.
