Vienna, Sept. 10 (SANA) The United States welcomed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ decision to close Syria’s non-compliance file, saying the Syrian government had set an example in meeting its international nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Preston Wells Griffith, U.S. representative in Vienna, described the move as a “historic day” for Syria and the IAEA in a statement delivered to the Board of Governors on Wednesday, 15 years after the Board found Syria in non-compliance with its safeguards agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The statement, delivered on Sept. 9 and published by the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna on Thursday, said the new Syrian government had ushered in an era of cooperation, transparency and compliance under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Griffith said U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy toward the new Syrian government had helped pave the way for the Board’s decision.
Syria steps up cooperation with IAEA
Griffith cited significant progress over the past year in resolving longstanding safeguards questions related to undeclared nuclear activities under the ousted Assad regime.
Syria disclosed to the IAEA in July a previously undeclared site containing nuclear material, where the agency verified about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal, Griffith said. The material has since been placed under IAEA safeguards.
Syria also submitted the required nuclear material accounting reports and design information for the site, he added.
Griffith said the presence of natural uranium metal fuel rods supported Washington’s assessment that the ousted Assad regime had been constructing an undeclared nuclear reactor at Deir Ezzor.
In August, the IAEA director general and senior inspectors visited the Deir Ezzor site, where they observed excavation work carried out by the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission in coordination with the agency and uncovered cooling infrastructure consistent with a nuclear reactor, Griffith said.
Syria subsequently provided the IAEA with design information describing the installation as a decommissioned reactor. Griffith said the agency also confirmed a fuel fabrication plant linked to the Deir Ezzor site and received Syrian cooperation regarding two additional locations associated with its construction and dismantlement.
The United States welcomed the IAEA’s assessment that information and access provided by Syria had enabled the agency to clarify and resolve outstanding safeguards issues previously reported to the Board.
Griffith said Syria had taken concrete measures to address the ousted regime’s non-compliance through full and accurate reporting consistent with its NPT safeguards agreement.
IAEA work continues
Griffith said the IAEA’s work was not yet complete, with the agency continuing to assess information and samples it had obtained.
He called on Syria to continue its cooperation with the IAEA, bring into force an Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement as soon as possible and fully implement its provisions.
Griffith said the Syrian government’s swift action to meet its international nuclear non-proliferation obligations set an example in transparency and accountability.
He added that the Trump administration had responded to changes in Syria by lifting sanctions and cooperating with Damascus on several issues, describing the end of Syria’s non-compliance status as another milestone in relations between the two countries.
The IAEA Board of Governors unanimously adopted a decision on Wednesday to remove the Syria-related non-compliance item from its agenda
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