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

Nuclear material in Syria was discovered and collected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Saudi state-owned Al-Hadath reported on Tuesday, citing confirmation by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.

According to the report, al-Shaibani emphasized that the material, discovered in Syria's Dier ez-Zor site, will remain in Syrian custody, "subject to IAEA guarantees."

"We will provide the necessary conditions for handling nuclear materials and storing them safely," said al-Shaibani, who further noted that Damascus, "on its own initiative," permitted the IAEA to access the site.

Al-Shaibani made the comments at a joint press conference with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Damascus, where he added that Syria had the right to use the material for civil and peaceful purposes.

He noted that cooperation between Syria and the IAEA has reached "advanced stages."