Damascus, Aug. 18 (SANA)Syria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have agreed on specific practical steps to resolve outstanding safeguards issues related to undeclared activities dating back to the ousted regime, following IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s visit to Syria on Aug. 17-18.In an official statement on Tuesday, theMinistrysaid that the visit, made at the invitation of the Syrian Government, included a visit to a site in Deir Ezzor and a second location associated with nuclear material recently identified by Syria. It marked the most significant progress to date in cooperation between Syria and the IAEA toward resolving outstanding safeguards issues under Syria’s safeguards agreement pursuant to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

During his meeting with Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Grossi welcomed the Syrian Government’s initiative to cooperate with the agency through transparent and comprehensive engagement.

Al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the NPT and to the full implementation of its safeguards agreement, stressing that Syria had itself taken the initiative to notify the IAEA of the outstanding issues as part of its commitment to full transparency and its broader national effort, launched in December 2024, to address matters inherited from the ousted regime.

The minister also stressed that Syria exercises its sovereign responsibility over all nuclear material located on its territory, which remains under Syrian national custody, and that Damascus will continue to fulfill its responsibilities in accordance with its international obligations and national interests.

Grossi welcomed Syria’s declaration of July 17, 2026, concerning nuclear material at a previously undeclared site recently identified by Syrian authorities, as well as the information provided and access granted under Syria’s safeguards agreement and the practical steps agreed by both sides.

He also welcomed the support provided by President Ahmad al-Sharaa for the effective implementation of the IAEA’s verification activities in Syria.

During the visit, Grossi was briefed on excavation work being carried out by Syria in Deir Ezzor and inspected features at the site relevant to the agency’s assessment of previous nuclear-related activities there. The work will continue in accordance with the agreed practical steps and timetable.

Syrian authorities also facilitated the completion of an initial IAEA inspection of the nuclear material declared by Syria. The inspection will continue until fully completed, marking an important step toward placing the material under IAEA safeguards.

The two sides agreed on specific measures that are currently being implemented to enable the agency to address the outstanding safeguards issues arising from activities conducted under the ousted regime.

Upon completion of the agreed inspection and verification activities, the IAEA Director General will submit his findings and conclusions to the IAEA Board of Governors at the earliest possible opportunity for consideration at its next session, with the aim of reaching a full resolution of the outstanding issues.

Syria and the IAEA will also expand cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in support of Syria’s national development priorities.

Both sides considered the steps agreed during Grossi’s visit an important advance toward resolving the outstanding safeguards issues and opening a new phase of broader cooperation.