Syrian Atomic Energy issues clarification on misinformation about  the "Manser" research reactor

On Sunday, the Syrian Atomic Energy Authority categorically denied what has recently been circulated on some social media platforms and unreliable websites about the "handover" of the Syrian miniature scientific research reactor known as "MNSR".

In a statement to SANA, the head of the media department at the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, Abdul Hamid al-Qatini, refuted the false statements and untrue allegations raised about the strategies and agreements related to the Syrian nuclear file, which is completely peaceful in nature,  explaining that all the information that has been published through the digital space in recent times is completely misleading, and is not based on any official source or an approved technical and legal basis.

Al-Qutaini pointed out that the deliberate publication of such false allegations reflects negatively on the national and security situation of the country, and aims primarily to create confusion and distort the established facts related to the scientific and technical work led by the Commission and the Syrian state institutions.

The nature of the "Mancer" reactor and peaceful international monitoring

The media official explained that the Syrian "Mancer" reactor is a miniature research reactor dedicated exclusively to peaceful scientific and medical uses, physical research, academic training, and technical analysis by neutron activation, as well as the production of some radioisotopes of scientific value.

He stressed that since the beginning of its establishment and establishment, this research facility has been subject to strict and periodic monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which reflects the transparency of the Syrian program and its commitment to international security standards.

Al-Qutaini revealed that within the framework of the Syrian Arab Republic's firm international obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), in the coming period, agreed technical steps will be implemented to replace highly enriched fuel with another low-enriched fuel, after the end of the life of the old fuel. He said that this measure is a purely routine technical measure that aims globally to raise the level of nuclear safety and reduce the risks associated with old fuels, in addition to opening new horizons for international cooperation and expanding training programs Advanced, exchanging experiences, and providing promising scholarships and research fellowships to Syrian cadres, in a way that contributes to the development of national and Arab capabilities in the peaceful nuclear fields.

Technical details on modernization and international cooperation

The spokesman stressed that the fuel replacement process will be carried out under the field and directly supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and in accordance with the strictest international standards adopted in this regard.

He stated that specialized international bodies will participate in this process within international programs dedicated to the removal of highly enriched fuels from all similar research reactors around the world, reaffirming that this participation is purely technical and has nothing to do with any form of handover or transfer of national sovereignty, as no facility, equipment or ownership will be transferred, and no action has taken place that affects the full ownership of the reactor by the Syrian state.

Legal Prosecution and Background to the Vienna Meetings

In early June 2026, a delegation from the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) discussed with specialized technical teams from the United States, Canada, and several other countries, at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, with specialized technical teams from the United States of America, Canada, and several other countries, the logistical and security arrangements for the replacement of the fuel of the Syrian mini research reactor.

At the end of its statement, the Commission vowed to take all necessary legal and representative measures against entities or individuals who are proven to promote these false and fabricated news, based on the Syrian laws in force that criminalize the dissemination of misinformation that affects national security or harms state institutions.

The Commission called on the media, activists on digital platforms and the public to fully verify the authenticity of the news before circulating it, and to rely exclusively on the data issued by the media office of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission in order to ensure accuracy and credibility.