Syria's foreign minister confirms nuclear material found by IAEA at Deir ez-Zor site

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani confirmed that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered and collected nuclear material at Syria's Deir ez-Zor site. Al-Shaibani stated that the material would remain in Syrian custody, "subject to IAEA guarantees," and that Syria would provide the necessary conditions for safe handling and storage. He made these comments during a joint press conference with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Damascus, emphasizing Syria's right to use the material for civil and peaceful purposes. This cooperation follows the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad, with new Syrian authorities committing to address the legacy of nuclear activities. Grossi confirmed the agency accessed the site after notification from the Syrian government.