Iran Nuclear Crisis: Putin’s Uranium Transfer Plan Fails to Gain US Support

A suggestion by Vladimir Putin to relocate Iran's enriched uranium to Russia as part of a possible diplomatic solution to tensions in the Middle East has reportedly been declined by Donald Trump, according to a report by Axios.

The proposal was discussed during a recent phone conversation between the Russian president and the US leader while both sides explored options to reduce tensions linked to the ongoing US-Iran tensions.

Putin suggested transferring Iran's uranium stockpile

Sources cited in the report said Putin proposed that Iran's enriched uranium reserves could be transported to Russia. The idea was presented as a way to remove a key point of concern in the standoff and potentially create space for diplomatic progress.

However, the report indicated that Trump did not accept the proposal. Officials in Washington are said to be focused on ensuring that Iran's nuclear material is handled in a way that prevents it from being used for weapons development.

Uranium reserves remain a major concern

A significant part of the dispute centres on Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, particularly around 450 kilograms enriched to 60 percent. Experts warn that this material could potentially be refined further into weapons-grade uranium within a relatively short timeframe.

Because of this possibility, securing or neutralising the uranium has become a major priority for the United States and its allies, including Israel.

Russia's previous involvement in nuclear arrangements

Russia was viewed as a potential option because of its technical capability to store and manage nuclear material. Moscow had previously handled Iran's low-enriched uranium under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and several world powers.

The Axios report also noted that Moscow had raised similar ideas in earlier diplomatic discussions, including during negotiations involving Iran's nuclear programme earlier this year and in the weeks leading up to the current tensions.