Iran Says Enriched Uranium Will Not Be Transferred Anywhere
Iran rejects transfer, insists enriched uranium stays within country.
Iran has firmly stated that its stockpile of enriched uranium will not be transferred "anywhere," rejecting claims of any agreement to ship it abroad. The Foreign Ministry's declaration on Friday came in direct response to US President Donald Trump's assertion that Tehran had consented to hand over its near-weapons-grade material as part of ongoing nuclear talks. Officials labeled the US claims "baseless and a lie," emphasizing no discussions on uranium export have occurred.
The rebuttal escalates tensions amid fragile ceasefire efforts in the region, including recent Strait of Hormuz developments. Iran possesses around 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity—close to the 90% weapons-grade threshold—stored in secure underground sites like Isfahan's tunnel complex, as flagged by the IAEA. Tehran has offered to dilute enrichment levels to 20% under IAEA oversight but insists on retaining domestic control over its nuclear fuel cycle.
Trump's comments followed CBS News remarks where he claimed Iran "agreed to everything," including uranium removal, signaling a potential deal without full US concessions. Iranian diplomats countered that negotiations focus solely on enrichment caps and centrifuge limits, not material export. This stance aligns with Tehran's long-held red line against shipping out sovereign nuclear assets, previously proposed to Russia but dismissed.
Also Read: Iran Responds Defiantly After Trump Threatens Strait Of Hormuz Blockade
The IAEA has repeatedly urged access to key sites like Isfahan and Natanz, where stocks remain despite 2025 US-Israeli strikes that spared underground facilities. Concerns persist over Iran's opacity, with enough 60% uranium theoretically sufficient for multiple bombs if further enriched. Technical talks in Vienna aim to address safeguards, but trust gaps hinder progress.
This episode underscores stalled diplomacy post-JCPOA collapse, as Iran advances capabilities amid sanctions and military posturing. With global oil routes volatile and ceasefires tentative, uranium transfer remains a non-starter for Tehran. Stakeholders watch for Vienna outcomes that could avert escalation or prompt renewed pressures.
Also Read: Iran Says Strait Of Hormuz Completely Open During Ceasefire With New IRGC Conditions
