Iran could send nuclear-ready uranium to Russia, enough for 12 bombs - WSJ
Iran’s agreement to halt enrichment will change almost nothing (Photo: Getty Images)
Representatives of Iran, during the first round of talks with the US in Oman on February 6, proposed transferring their highly enriched uranium to Russia. The country is also ready to suspend the enrichment process for several years, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Read also: Trump reveals how Iran could avoid US strikes
What happened at the meeting in Oman
Iran has consistently stated that it enriches uranium for peaceful purposes, although it is the only country without nuclear weapons that produces uranium enriched to 60% - close to the 90% level required to create a weapon.
This is precisely why the US seeks to reach an agreement to prevent that from happening.
“According to U.S., Iranian and regional diplomats, Iran has said it is open to sending some of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium - crucial fuel for a nuclear weapon - to an outside party such as Russia,” Iranian, Arab, and American officials told The Wall Street Journal.
Diplomats also said Iranian officials indicated they could offer to suspend uranium enrichment for up to three years.
However, as the WSJ writes, this promise would change little, since Iran is believed to have halted uranium enrichment after US strikes in June paralyzed the country’s main nuclear facilities.
The publication also added that following the US and Iranian strikes in June 2025, most of the existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium is now buried beneath the rubble of the attacked nuclear sites.
What is known about the Geneva talks
Yesterday, Tuesday, February 17, a second round of negotiations between Iran and the US took place in Geneva.
According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the talks were more substantive, adding that both sides presented ideas to develop an agreement.
He also said that Iran and the US agreed to exchange draft texts to create the foundation of a deal before setting a date for new negotiations.
“This does not mean we will be able to reach an agreement quickly, but at least the path toward it has begun,” Araghchi said after talks with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
A source cited by The Wall Street Journal уточнив that Iran agreed to present its draft within two weeks to remove some ambiguities in our position.
US is ready for any scenario
Recently, Axios reported that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed during a meeting at the White House to increase pressure on Iran - primarily regarding oil sales to China.
Shortly afterward, CBS News wrote that Washington is considering various scenarios surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. If diplomacy fails, the US does not rule out supporting Israeli military action.
Reuters also reported that Iran proposed a large-scale economic deal to the US as part of the nuclear negotiations. Tehran is ready to open its oil and gas fields and aviation market to access in exchange for sanctions relief.
