U.S. Brokers Deal For IAEA To Remove Nuclear Material From Secret Syrian Site
On August 10, 2026, U.S. officials said they brokered a deal for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to remove nuclear material from a clandestine Syrian site called Site 99.[1]
The understandings were struck between the Trump administration, Syria's new government and Israel to secure yellowcake and Al-Kibar reactor residues stored at the site, officials said.[1] Israeli officials warned they would bomb Site 99 again if the material was not removed or if Syria tried to access it, prompting months of U.S.-Israeli coordination, officials said.[1] U.S. officials say the material cannot be used to build a nuclear weapon but could be incorporated into a radiological "dirty bomb," they cautioned.[1]
The Trump administration reached understandings with Syria's new government and Israel several weeks earlier to secure yellowcake and other residues from the Al-Kibar reactor project stored at Site 99.[1] IAEA removal will physically take the material out of Syrian control and reduce the risk of a radiological attack, U.S. and Israeli officials said.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- As of August 10, 2026, Israeli and U.S. officials say the IAEA will soon remove nuclear material from a clandestine Syrian site called Site 99.
- The Trump administration reached understandings with Syria’s new government and Israel several weeks earlier to secure yellowcake and other residues from the Al-Kibar reactor project stored at the site.
- Israeli officials had threatened to bomb Site 99 again if the nuclear material was not removed or if Syria tried to access it, prompting months of behind-the-scenes U.S.-Israeli coordination.
- U.S. officials say the material at Site 99 cannot be used for a nuclear weapon but could be incorporated into a radiological 'dirty bomb.'
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