Iran’s Supreme Leader has asserted that the nation’s close-to-weapons-grade uranium will not be exported as per the wishes of Donald Trump. This statement by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei will likely escalate tensions and complicate negotiations aimed at resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
According to two senior Iranian sources, a directive has been issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader prohibiting the transfer of uranium abroad. This decision reinforces Tehran’s position on a key demand from the United States during peace talks.
Israeli officials claim that Trump has promised Israel that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, necessary for nuclear weapons, will be relocated out of Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that the conflict will persist until enriched uranium is removed from Iran, support for proxy militias ceases, and ballistic missile capabilities are dismantled.
One of the Iranian sources stated that there is a consensus within Iran that enriched uranium should remain within the country to avoid vulnerability to potential attacks from the US and Israel. The final decision on crucial state matters rests with Khamenei.
Despite a fragile ceasefire in place since the conflict began, significant progress in peace efforts has been elusive. Challenges persist, including a US blockade of Iranian ports and Tehran’s control of the vital oil supply route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Deep suspicions linger in Iran regarding the temporary halt in hostilities, with concerns that it could be a strategy by Washington to facilitate future attacks. Both sides are narrowing some differences, but major disagreements persist, particularly concerning Tehran’s nuclear program and the fate of its enriched uranium stockpiles.
Iranian officials emphasize the need for a permanent end to the conflict and assurances that the US and Israel will refrain from further hostilities before engaging in detailed nuclear negotiations. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, while Israel’s nuclear arsenal remains unconfirmed.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that Iran possessed 440.9 kg of enriched uranium when attacked in June 2025, with the current status of the stockpile unclear. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated that a significant portion of the remaining stock is stored in a tunnel complex in Isfahan, with additional quantities at the Natanz nuclear complex.
Iran asserts that some highly enriched uranium is essential for medical and research purposes. Amidst ongoing tensions and negotiations, the situation remains complex in the region.