Tehran pushes back against U.S. plan to relocate enriched Uranium abroad

Department of Research, Studies and International News 15-04-2025

Efforts to restart negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program have hit a significant hurdle, with Iran strongly resisting a U.S. proposal to move its enriched uranium stockpile to a third country, potentially Russia. This contentious issue has emerged as one of the central obstacles in diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and ensuring the program remains civilian in nature.

The uranium transfer proposal arose during preliminary talks in Muscat, Oman, involving indirect exchanges between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. While Oman acted as the intermediary, some direct communication between the two sides also took place.

Iran has accumulated a substantial stockpile of highly enriched uranium over the past four years. Tehran insists that this material should remain on Iranian soil under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iranian officials argue that keeping the uranium within the country serves as a form of security. If the U.S. were to abandon a future agreement, as Trump did in 2018 by withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran would retain the resources necessary to resume its nuclear activities without starting from scratch.

From Iran’s perspective, surrendering its uranium would create a vulnerability: if Washington reneged on the agreement again, Iran would be left without the necessary materials to continue its program. Officials see this as unfairly penalizing Iran for potential American non-compliance, especially given the history of U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, which was initially brokered by the Obama administration.

The next round of negotiations is expected to take place in Rome, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stepping in to host the talks. Her involvement is seen as a political overture from Trump, who reportedly values Meloni’s support and relationship more than that of other European leaders. The move also reflects a broader effort to sideline the traditional European players in these discussions, France, Germany, and the UK, often referred to as the “E3”, with Oman continuing its role as a trusted mediator. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to be in Rome during the Easter weekend, underscoring the importance Washington places on this diplomatic track.

During the 2015 talks that led to the JCPOA, Italy was notably excluded from the core group of European negotiators. Now, Meloni’s involvement signals a possible shift in the European dimension of these discussions. Mohamed Amersi, a fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, observed that Meloni may have the closest ties to Trump among European leaders. Her inclusion could reshape the role of the E3 in future talks.

While Iran faces increasing economic pressure due to longstanding U.S. sanctions, it is eager to secure foreign investment as a way to stabilize its economy. Talks have reportedly begun on creating insurance mechanisms to protect businesses that may consider investing in Iran, in case relations with Washington deteriorate again. The failure of European mechanisms to protect companies following the 2018 U.S. withdrawal has made investors cautious.

Despite the mounting economic strain, Iran continues to negotiate under the looming threat of potential military action. The possibility of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities remains on the table, heightening the urgency for a diplomatic resolution.

Interestingly, the U.S. has chosen to keep other contentious issues, such as Iran’s regional activities, off the table for now. This exclusion has puzzled some of Washington’s traditional allies, including Israel and hardline critics of the Iranian regime. While the U.S. may eventually seek assurances from Iran regarding its regional influence, Tehran counters that it is Israel, not Iran, that is destabilizing neighboring countries through its actions in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Iran’s sway in the region has diminished in recent months. The death of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, ongoing Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and U.S. strikes in Yemen have all contributed to a decline in Iranian influence. Meanwhile, Iran’s oil export operations continue to come under increasing pressure due to tightened U.S. sanctions.

As discussions continue, the future of Iran’s nuclear program and its broader relationship with the West remain uncertain. Whether a viable agreement can be reached will largely depend on resolving the core dispute over enriched uranium and finding mutual guarantees that can withstand future political shifts on either side.