April 15, 2025 — Russia has refrained from confirming whether it would accept Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a potential US-Iran nuclear agreement. This comes amid ongoing negotiations aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. Speculation arose following reports suggesting Iran might resist a US proposal to transfer its uranium stockpiles to a third country, such as Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov avoided addressing whether discussions on the matter had occurred between Moscow and Tehran. The US, under President Donald Trump, has labeled Iran as close to obtaining nuclear weapons and threatened military action if no agreement is reached, although Iran denies pursuing nuclear arms. Russia maintains that Iran has a right to peaceful nuclear energy and opposes any military action.
This development occurs ahead of the second round of indirect talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, following initial discussions in Oman. The negotiations aim to revive the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Trump in 2018, after which Iran exceeded the agreement’s uranium enrichment limits.
The US has proposed that Iran transfer its enriched uranium to a third country to prevent its potential use in nuclear weapons development. However, Iran insists on keeping the stockpile under the International Atomic Energy Agency’s supervision within its borders, citing concerns over potential US withdrawal from any agreement, as happened in 2018.
Amid these diplomatic efforts, the US has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, near Yemen. This move accompanies ongoing US airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and underscores the heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities.
As negotiations continue, the international community watches closely, aware that the outcome could significantly impact regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.
