The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to remove stored nuclear material from a secret site in Syria following a confidential agreement involving the Trump administration, Syria and Israel, according to US and Israeli officials.
The diplomatic effort was launched to prevent the issue from escalating into a wider confrontation involving Israel, Syria and Turkey. US officials say the arrangement demonstrates President Donald Trump’s ability to resolve sensitive security concerns while maintaining close ties with Syria’s new government.
Israel had reportedly monitored the site, known as “Site 99,” for the past two years. The facility allegedly contained yellowcake—uranium ore concentrate—as well as other remnants of Syria’s former nuclear programme.
Although the material could not be used directly to build a nuclear weapon, officials and experts have warned that radioactive material could potentially be used in a so-called “dirty bomb,” a device designed to spread radioactive contamination rather than produce a nuclear explosion.
Israel had previously carried out a bombing near the facility after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, reportedly seeking to prevent access to the site.
Syria’s new government later allowed the IAEA to inspect locations associated with the country’s previous nuclear activities. Charles Lister, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, said the new authorities were keen to resolve sensitive nuclear and chemical issues inherited from the Assad era in an effort to restore Syria’s international standing.
According to US officials, Syria’s new government was initially unaware of the nuclear materials left behind by the former regime. Washington has since described the new Syrian authorities as a reliable partner.
However, Israeli surveillance detected suspicious activity at the site several weeks ago, prompting concerns in Israel that the Syrian government might be violating the understanding and that Turkey could be assisting it.
A US official said Israel was right to closely scrutinize the situation, but the Trump administration urged Israel not to take military action and instead brought the IAEA into the process.
As a result, the IAEA and the Syrian government signed an agreement around three weeks ago to remove the nuclear materials from the site.
The materials have not yet been removed, and preparations are reportedly still underway. US officials expect the operation to begin soon and be completed before the end of 2026.
The White House, the IAEA and the office of Israeli Prime Minister have declined to comment on the reported agreement.
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