Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium remain inside the country, according to sources. The move could complicate peace negotiations with the United States and Israel following the recent regional conflict.
The directive reportedly strengthens Tehran’s stance against a key US demand that Iran transfer its highly enriched uranium abroad. Israeli officials said US President Donald Trump had assured Israel that any agreement would require removing the stockpile from Iran.
Western nations and Israel have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capability after it enriched uranium to 60 per cent, close to weapons-grade levels. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war cannot end unless Iran removes its enriched uranium stockpile, stops supporting proxy militias and dismantles its ballistic missile programme.
Also read: Ukrainian drones hit refinery deep inside Russia
Iranian officials reportedly fear that exporting the uranium would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks. A fragile ceasefire remains in place after clashes triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
Negotiations have stalled over Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly the fate of the uranium stockpile and Tehran’s insistence on retaining enrichment rights. Iranian officials say their priority is securing guarantees against future US or Israeli attacks before engaging in detailed nuclear talks.
One Iranian source suggested compromises remain possible, including diluting the uranium stockpile under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. The IAEA estimates Iran had about 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent before attacks on its nuclear facilities in 2025.
Follow us
