Russia has reiterated its willingness to host Iran’s enriched uranium, despite the United States previously rejecting the proposal. The Kremlin says the offer could help reduce tensions in the Middle East. Discussions around Iran’s nuclear programme remain a contentious issue in international diplomacy.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow’s offer to store Iran’s enriched uranium is still open for consideration. He explained that the plan was initially presented some time ago and received a positive response from Tehran.
Peskov told India Today,
“a very good solution,”
but added,
“unfortunately, the American side rejected this proposal,”
and noted that President Vladimir Putin
“is ready to return to this initiative.”
The proposal was intended to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities and to provide a potential path toward easing regional tensions.
The United States has consistently demanded that Iran dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium. Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear programme is for civilian purposes and that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right.
Tehran has previously suggested sending some of its enriched uranium to a third country, such as Russia, as part of negotiations. This idea was reportedly discussed before the US and Israel began military operations on February 28. The US, however, has not accepted this approach, instead proposing a lengthy moratorium on enrichment.
When asked about international monitoring, Peskov stated,
“We are in full cooperation.”
He emphasised that Iran is
“one of the most heavily inspected”
countries by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and that the UN watchdog
“has never acknowledged any attempt by Iran to make nuclear weapons.”
This assertion comes as the IAEA continues its inspections and oversight of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Recent indirect contacts between the US and Iran have not produced a breakthrough, with talks in Islamabad last week ending without agreement. Tehran has accused Washington of a
“breach of trust”
and of attempting to impose its terms on the negotiations.
The US reportedly suggested a 20-year moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment and the removal of Iran’s current stockpile. Former President Donald Trump commented that even a 20-year ban would not be sufficient. Iranian negotiators, in response, are said to have proposed a five-year moratorium and rejected calls to relinquish their approximately 440 kilograms of enriched uranium.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly supported Iran’s position, stating that Tehran has
“an inalienable right”
to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. This stance aligns with Russia’s ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions and its willingness to facilitate agreements that could reduce nuclear-related tensions in the region.
The Kremlin’s renewed offer to host Iran’s enriched uranium highlights the ongoing complexity of negotiations and the differing approaches among global powers regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.