Syria Takes Major Step to Come Clean on Past Nuclear Program

UN inspectors this week visited several undeclared Assad-era Syrian nuclear sites for the first time — including some used to store nuclear material.

Under former President Bashar Assad, Syria was believed to have operated an extensive undeclared nuclear program that included a nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir el-Zour province.

Speaking at a news conference in Damascus, Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), praised Damascus’ “courageous decision” to report the undisclosed site, which dates back to the rule of ousted former leader Bashar-al-Assad.