Syria and the International Atomic Energy Agency: A bright future for energy and nuclear medicine.

In a new step reflecting Syria's commitment to openness and international cooperation, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, confirmed that the new Syrian government has expressed full commitment to nuclear transparency and cooperation with the international community during his official visit to the capital, Damascus, and his meeting with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. In a statement to the Associated Press, Grossi stated that Syria has agreed to grant immediate access to the agency's inspectors to suspected former nuclear sites, clarifying that the aim of this step is to elucidate activities believed to have been linked to past military nuclear programs. He added, "We hope to conclude the inspection process in the coming months." Grossi noted that Syria has shown interest in obtaining peaceful nuclear energy, and President Al-Sharaa has demonstrated "extremely positive inclination" towards dialogue and providing necessary facilitations to the agency. He also explained that international inspectors will return to the Deir Al-Zour reactor and three other sites, indicating that the agency does not have evidence of current radiation, but is concerned about the possibility of enriched uranium stored in unknown locations that could be smuggled or reused. Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani signed a memorandum of understanding with Grossi between Syria and the International Atomic Energy Agency, encompassing cooperation in food security and cancer control within the agency's initiatives "Atoms for Food" and "Rays of Hope." Grossi also announced the agency's readiness to support Syria in transporting nuclear medicine equipment and rebuilding the infrastructure for radiation therapy and cancer treatment. He mentioned that Damascus is currently considering the possibility of establishing small-scale nuclear reactors, as they are less costly and easier to install than traditional large reactors. These developments represent a strategic shift in Syria's policy towards peaceful nuclear energy, opening the door to broad scientific, medical, and food cooperation with the international community.