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Iran is prepared to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile to Russia, the Saudi news broadcaster Al Hadath has reported. The idea was floated as part of the latest peace proposal Tehran sent to the US via Pakistan, Al Hadath said on Monday (May 18) citing a leaked document it had obtained.
According to the document, Iran is allegedly ready to freeze its nuclear development programme for a long period of time but only on the condition that its highly enriched uranium will be transferred to Russia instead of the United States. Tehran still rules out dismantling its programme completely. Construction of eight nuclear power plants (NPP) is currently in progress in Iran, with Russia’s Rosatom the main contractor. It is possible to build NPP without the nuclear material being capable for the development of weapons, and it is understood that this applies to Iran’s NPP projects.
However, Iran retains more than 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, according to International Atomic Energy Agency estimates. Weapons-grade levels typically require 90% enrichment and higher.
Moscow has repeatedly offered its assistance in ending the conflict, in particular by removing the Iranian highly enriched uranium stockpile.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated earlier this month that “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. Moscow has never violated its agreements and continues to cooperate with Iran on its peaceful nuclear energy programme.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that Iran’s highly enriched uranium should be handed over to America. Last week, he told Fox News that the issue was “more for public relations” and getting the Iranian stockpile would just make him “feel better.”
