Russia Renews Offer to Store an’s Enriched Uranium Amid Stalled US Peace Talks

In a major diplomatic move, Russia has reiterated its willingness to take custody of Iran's enriched uranium as part of a prospective peace agreement with the United States, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday, according to a report in Reuters.

The announcement follows yet another round of inconclusive talks between Iran and the US over the weekend, dashing hopes of a rapid resolution to the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted global markets since hostilities escalated in late February.

Russia, which holds the world's largest nuclear arsenal, has previously floated the idea of hosting Iran's enriched uranium stockpile to facilitate a negotiated settlement. Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "President Putin raised this proposal in discussions with both the United States and regional nations. The offer remains on the table, though it has not yet been acted upon."

Peskov also took aim at former US President Donald Trump's recent threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for oil shipments. The strait has seen reduced traffic since the US and Israel began military strikes against Iran in late February. "Such actions are likely to further destabilise international energy markets," Peskov warned.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin revealed that President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, during which he expressed readiness to mediate peace efforts in West Asia. "Vladimir Putin underscored his commitment to facilitating a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict and supporting efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," the Kremlin's readout stated.

Despite the diplomatic impasse, no immediate return to large-scale hostilities has been reported, and world leaders have continued to urge both sides to remain on the path of dialogue.

US Vice President JD Vance, who travelled to Pakistan for the high-level talks-marking the most significant direct engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution-described the American offer as "final and best." Speaking after the negotiations, Vance said, "We leave with a very simple proposal. Now we will see if the Iranians accept it."

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, offered a measured response, stating that while the Iranian team had presented constructive initiatives, the other side had failed to earn the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of talks.

As the region remains on edge, all eyes are now on whether Moscow's uranium storage offer can help revive stalled diplomacy and bring both parties back to the table.