Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that the country’s enriched uranium stockpile must remain inside Iran, according to an exclusive Reuters report published on Thursday.
Iranian sources told Reuters that Khamenei has clearly instructed officials not to send enriched uranium abroad, signaling Tehran’s tougher stance in ongoing negotiations with the United States over a possible peace agreement.
The issue of Iran’s enriched uranium has become a key point of disagreement in the talks. U.S. President Donald Trump had reportedly assured Israeli officials that any deal with Iran would include the transfer of Tehran’s enriched uranium to another country. Iran’s latest position could further complicate those negotiations.
Reuters reported that Iranian officials believe sending the uranium abroad would leave the country more vulnerable to potential attacks from the United States or Israel, which is why Tehran is taking a firm position on the matter.
The development is expected to add fresh tension to already fragile diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and regional security concerns.
