Iran’s leader rejects key demand by Trump for peace deal
Photo: Mojtaba Khamenei (Getty Images)
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has approved a directive stating that stocks of enriched uranium close to weapons-grade level must not be removed from the country, according to Reuters.
Uranium will remain in Iran
According to two senior Iranian sources, Khamenei’s decree enshrines an approach under which strategic stocks of enriched uranium must be kept inside the country.
Authorities believe that removing them could increase Iran’s vulnerability to potential strikes by the United States and Israel.
It is noted that the decision was made amid ongoing negotiations, in which Washington is insisting on the removal of the material as one of the conditions for a possible agreement.
Dispute over the terms of the deal
According to Israeli officials, former US President Donald Trump had previously assured Israel that highly enriched uranium must be removed from Iran as part of any future agreement. However, Tehran strongly rejects this approach.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would not consider the conflict resolved until Iran gives up its stockpile of enriched uranium, ends support for allied armed groups, and restricts its missile programs.
Iran’s nuclear programme and Tehran’s position
Western countries, including the United States and Israel, have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, pointing to uranium enrichment levels of up to 60%, which significantly exceed civilian needs.
Tehran rejects these allegations, insisting that its nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.
Iranian sources also note that possible technical solutions could be used to place stockpiles under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, although the issue of transferring the material abroad remains a key point of disagreement.
Negotiations amid mistrust
Against the backdrop of an unstable situation, the sides continue discussing possible parameters of a deal, but significant differences remain.
In Iran’s view, a pause in hostilities could be used as a form of pressure rather than a step toward peace.
Negotiating parties stress that rapprochement is only possible if security guarantees are provided, while core issues of the nuclear programme remain unresolved.
According to sources, most of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is likely still stored at the nuclear facility in Isfahan, which has previously been struck by the United States.
It is also noted that China has expressed readiness to consider accepting the material for storage or assisting in reducing the enrichment level of highly enriched uranium located in Iran.
