Capitals, April 18 (SANA) The fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has become a central point of contention in ongoing U.S.–Iran negotiations mediated through regional channels, with both sides holding sharply opposing positions over its handling.
Washington push vs Tehran rejection
US President Donald Trump said Washington would work with Iran to extract enriched uranium from damaged nuclear facilities and transfer it to the United States under any future agreement. Iran, however, firmly rejected the proposal, stressing that the removal of nuclear material from its territory is not an option.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that it currently does not know the location of around 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium in Iran. Director General Rafael Grossi said the material’s whereabouts remain unconfirmed following recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Independent experts from the Institute for Science and International Security said the status of the stockpile has remained unclear since June 2025, adding that access to damaged sites has been restricted. They suggested parts of the material could still be buried at facilities such as Isfahan and Fordow, though this remains unverified.
Third-country option under discussion
Amid the deadlock, proposals for transferring the stockpile to a third country have gained traction. Russia has expressed readiness to receive Iran’s enriched uranium under a potential agreement, recalling its role in 2015 when it accepted large quantities of low-enriched uranium under the JCPOA framework. Washington, however, has reportedly rejected this option.
China has also been mentioned as a possible destination, with reports suggesting it could consider receiving or down-blending the material for civilian use if requested by both sides.
Core unresolved issue
Despite these proposals, the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium remains at the heart of the broader nuclear dispute between Tehran and Washington.
With positions still far apart and verification challenges ongoing, attention is now turning to a possible new round of talks in Islamabad, although no date has yet been confirmed.
KA.MZ
