Officials worry over uranium stockpile in Syria

An unexploded ordnance is seen in Muderyia, near Damascus, on Jan. 6. Photo by Abu Adel Al-Jubarani/Shaam News Network/Reuters

Officials are concerned that a stockpile of unenriched uranium in Syria, enough to make five nuclear bombs, could fall into the hands of Iran.

The 50 metric tons of unenriched uranium are believed to be left over from the Syrian nuclear program, according to the Financial Times. 

A nearly completed nuclear reactor located at Al-Kibar, in eastern Syria, reportedly was destroyed by Israeli jets in September 2007. It is unknown where the uranium that was slated for the reactor is being stored.

Some nuclear officials fear that Iran, which is closely allied to Syria and needs uranium for its nuclear program, might be trying to get hold of the uranium, according to the Financial Times.