Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that the country’s enriched uranium stockpile must remain inside Iran, creating a major challenge for ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States and its allies.
The statement comes at a sensitive time as both sides continue efforts to prevent another military escalation in the Middle East following months of conflict and instability in the region. Iranian officials said the leadership has firmly rejected proposals that would require Tehran to transfer its highly enriched uranium to another country as part of a future agreement.
According to reports from Reuters, the United States has been pushing for Iran to move or surrender its stockpile of near weapons grade uranium to reduce concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington believes such a step would help rebuild international trust and lower fears that Iran could eventually develop nuclear weapons capability.
Iran, however, insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and says keeping the uranium inside the country is a matter of national sovereignty and security.
Iranian officials have reportedly argued that recent military strikes and rising regional tensions have made the leadership more cautious. They believe giving up the uranium stockpile could weaken the country if future negotiations fail or if another conflict breaks out.
The disagreement has now become one of the most difficult issues in the talks between Tehran and Washington. Diplomats involved in the discussions say both sides are still trying to avoid a complete collapse of negotiations, but positions remain far apart.
International inspectors estimate that Iran currently possesses around 200 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. Experts say this level is far above what is usually needed for civilian energy production, although it is still below the level generally associated with nuclear weapons.
Western countries have repeatedly expressed concern over the rapid growth of Iran’s nuclear programme in recent years. Israel in particular has warned that it would not accept a situation where Iran comes close to achieving nuclear weapons capability.
Iranian leaders continue to reject those accusations and say they have the legal right to enrich uranium under international agreements. Tehran also maintains that it will not accept demands for zero enrichment as part of any future deal.
Reports suggest negotiators are now discussing alternative options instead of removing the uranium from Iran completely. One proposal includes placing the material under stricter international monitoring, while another suggests diluting the uranium to lower enrichment levels.
Political observers say the issue has become even more sensitive after the leadership transition in Iran earlier this year. Mojtaba Khamenei took over as Supreme Leader following the death of former leader Ali Khamenei during the 2026 conflict. Since assuming power, the new leadership has taken a tougher public position on national security matters.
The latest developments have also affected global markets. Oil prices rose on Thursday as investors worried that growing tensions between Iran and the West could threaten energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transport routes.
Despite the sharp disagreements, diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States are continuing through indirect channels with the support of international mediators. Analysts say both governments understand the risks of another military confrontation, but the dispute over enriched uranium remains the biggest obstacle to reaching a breakthrough agreement.
Many experts believe the coming weeks will be crucial in deciding whether diplomacy can still succeed or whether tensions in the region could rise once again.