Putin’s Offer to Relocate Iran’s Uranium Stockpile Rejected by Trump
US President declines Russian plan to transfer highly enriched uranium as conflict with Iran continues.
Iran, Mar 14 : A proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran’s highly enriched uranium to Russia has reportedly been turned down by US President Donald Trump following a recent phone conversation between the two leaders.
According to reports, the suggestion involved moving Iran’s uranium stockpile to Russia as part of a broader attempt to ease tensions and address concerns over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. Moscow was considered a viable option because of its technical capacity to safely store enriched uranium and its previous role in handling Iranian nuclear material under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran is believed to possess roughly 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, a level that experts say can be quickly converted to weapons-grade material. Analysts warn that such a quantity could theoretically be sufficient to produce multiple nuclear weapons, making control of the stockpile a major focus for Washington and its allies amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Despite the logistical feasibility of transferring the material abroad, the US reportedly declined the offer and continues to insist that Iran’s uranium reserves must be secured. Similar proposals had been raised by Moscow during earlier diplomatic discussions before the escalation that followed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year.
Iran has previously rejected the idea of sending its uranium outside the country, instead suggesting that the material could be diluted under monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It remains unclear whether Tehran’s position has shifted since the latest hostilities began.
Speaking to reporters, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington has several options for addressing the issue but declined to provide details. He noted that one possibility would involve Iran voluntarily giving up its stockpile, although he stressed that the United States would not publicly discuss its strategy.
During the conversation with Putin, Trump also acknowledged that Russia may be providing limited support to Iran during the conflict. The US president suggested that such geopolitical alignments were typical among global powers, noting that Moscow could similarly view American support for Ukraine in a comparable light.
With the proposal rejected, Iran’s uranium stockpile remains inside the country, leaving the question of how it will ultimately be handled a key issue in the evolving confrontation.
