This week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a confidential report which stated that 2.5 tons of natural uranium had disappeared from a facility in Libya that is not under government jurisdiction.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency notified member states of the news, as reported by Reuters, according to documents seen by the news outlet.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi declared that the inspection, which had been planned for 2020, was delayed due to the regional security circumstances.
According to the report, 10 drums filled with 2.5 tons of uranium ore concentrate, which had been announced by Libya as being stored at the site, were no longer present.
The report stated that the lack of information regarding the whereabouts of nuclear materials could potentially create a hazardous radiological situation as well as raise worries about nuclear safety.
An inquiry is already in progress to find the absent nuclear material. The specific place and name of the area were not divulged, though it was mentioned that accessing it necessitated "intricate logistics."
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Committee reports that natural uranium has around 0.7 % uranium-235, which is the type of isotope required to construct nuclear weapons. To create these armaments, it is essential to raise the quantity of uranium-235 through an enrichment process.
The CDC states that natural uranium is of little hazard due to its radiation emission being very minimal.
Dr. Ivan Oelrich, the Senior Fellow for the Strategic Security Program at the Federation of American Scientists, asserts that natural uranium cannot be used to make dirty bombs.
Libya is a highly uncertain and hazardous nation, with terror organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda being active and committing attacks within its boundaries.
The U.S. State Department has given its most serious warning about traveling to Libya, cautioning American citizens to stay away due to the dangers of crime, terrorism, civil disturbance, abduction, and armed fighting.