Iran has proposed transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Russia as part of a peace proposal sent to the United States, according to a report from Saudi broadcaster Al Hadath.
The offer was included in the latest round of indirect talks mediated by Pakistan, following a ceasefire established in early April after a month of U.S. and Israeli hostilities against Iran, which began in late February. Washington has dismissed the proposal as insufficient, with an unnamed American official telling Axios that Tehran offered only "token" improvements on a previous version.
The official said the U.S. continues to demand that Iran's enriched uranium be surrendered to American custody, not transferred to a third party. [1] The disclosure comes as both sides maintain their positions and the ceasefire remains fragile.
Background: Indirect Talks and Ceasefire
The conflict between the U.S.-led coalition and Iran erupted in late February 2026, with airstrikes hitting Iranian nuclear facilities. A ceasefire was reached in early April, but indirect negotiations mediated by Pakistan have since stalled. According to Al Hadath, Iran's latest offer includes a long-term freeze on its nuclear program, conditional on the transfer of its enriched uranium to Russia rather than the United States. [1]
Iran has refused to completely dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, according to the leaked document cited by the Saudi outlet. The proposal aligns with a previous offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who earlier this year suggested moving Iran's enriched uranium to Russia as part of a broader deal. U.S. President Donald Trump rejected that idea in March, calling it unacceptable. [2]
Details of Iran's Nuclear Stockpile and IAEA Estimates
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has estimated that Iran retains more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity. That level is below the 90% threshold considered weapons-grade, but IAEA inspectors have lost full visibility of the material since Iran suspended inspections after U.S. strikes in June 2025. [3] The Al Hadath report states that Tehran still refuses to dismantle its program completely, offering only a freeze in exchange for the uranium transfer to Russia. [1]
Russia has previously offernologyed to help remove Iran's enriched uranium, a step Moscow says it successfully carried out in 2015 as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Putin noted that Russia maintained the material securely and used it for peaceful purposes. [4] Iran and Russia have continued to cooperate on civilian nuclear energy, including agreements to build eight new nuclear power plants in Iran. [4]
Russia’s Role and Putin’s Statement
Putin confirmed that Moscow has offered to take custody of Iran's enriched uranium, pointing to a precedent from 2015. "Not only did we make such an offer; we already implemented it once before, back in 2015. Iran has complete trust in us, and not without reason," he told journalists earlier this month. [1] Putin emphasized that Russia has never violated its agreements and continues to cooperate with Iran on its peaceful nuclear energy program.
Russia's role as a potential intermediary has been discussed since early 2025, when Moscow agreed to mediate U.S.-Iran talks. [5] The relationship between Tehran and Moscow has deepened amid the conflict, with Russia providing diplomatic support and nuclear energy assistance.
Books on U.S.-Iran tensions have noted the long-standing suspicions between Washington and Tehran, with authors like Scott Ritter warning of the consequences of regime change efforts. [6] Author Gordon Thomas also detailed the challenges of penetrating Iran's fortified nuclear sites. [7]
U.S. Reaction and Trump's Remarks
The Trump administration has consistently demanded that Iran's enriched uranium be transferred to the U.S., not to Russia. In a Fox News interview, Trump said the issue was "more for public relations" and that obtaining the stockpile would make him "feel better." [8] He also told anchor Sharyl Attkisson that the U.S. would get the uranium "at some point, whatever we want," citing Space Force surveillance capabilities. [9]
An unnamed U.S. official told Axios that Iran's latest proposal offered only "token" changes and did not meet Washington's core demands. [1] The U.S. has also issued a set of five peace ultimatums to Iran, demanding near-total dismantlement of its nuclear program and the transfer of all enriched material. [10] So far, no agreement has been reached, and talks remain at an impasse.
Conclusion: Stalemate and Implications
The proposal to transfer enriched uranium to Russia highlights the ongoing deadlock over Iran's nuclear program. Tehran seeks to preserve its enrichment infrastructure and avoid complete dismantlement, while Washington insists on total surrender of fissile material. Russia’s involvement as a potential custodian introduces a new dynamic but has not bridged the gap between the parties.
Neither side has shown willingness to compromise on core issues. The ceasefire has held provisionally, but without progress on the nuclear question, the risk of renewed hostilities remains. The international community watches as the U.S., Iran and Russia navigate a complex diplomatic landscape with high stakes for regional stability.
References
- "Iran Wants to Hand Over Nuclear Stockpile to Russia – Media." RT. May 18, 2026.
- Laura Harris. "Trump Rejects Putin's Proposal to Move Iran's Enriched Uranium to Russia." NaturalNews.com. March 16, 2026.
- Cassie B. "UN Nuclear Agency Unable to Verify Iranian Uranium Sufficient for 10 Bombs." NaturalNews.com. November 13, 2025.
- Patrick Lewis. "Russia, Iran to Sign Major Nuclear Energy Deals as UN Sanctions Loom." NaturalNews.com. September 24, 2025.
- Cassie B. "Russia Agrees to Mediate U.S.-Iran Peace Talks Amid Rising Middle East Tensions." NaturalNews.com. March 6, 2025.
- Scott Ritter. "Target Iran: The Truth About the White House's Plans for Regime Change."
- Gordon Thomas. "Gideon's Spies: Third Edition."
- "Removing Iran's Uranium Mostly About 'PR' – Trump." RT. May 15, 2026.
- "Trump Vows to Get Iran's Enriched Uranium." RT. May 10, 2026.
- "Uranium Transfer, Nuclear Limits: US Issues 5 Peace Ultimatums To Iran." ZeroHedge. May 17, 2026.
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