Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Rejects US Request for Highly Enriched Uranium
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TEHRAN — Iran will not transfer any highly enriched uranium materials to the United States, the country's Deputy Foreign Minister stated on Saturday, closing the door on what Washington has long sought as a confidence-building measure in nuclear negotiations.
The declaration, made during a press briefing in Tehran, marked a significant hardening of Iran's position regarding the fate of its nuclear stockpile. The official emphasized that the matter is not open for discussion, signaling a potential stalemate in ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions over Iran's nuclear program.
"No highly enriched uranium materials will be sent to the US," the Deputy Foreign Minister said, addressing reporters following a closed-door meeting of the Foreign Ministry. "This issue is not open for discussion."
The statement comes amid heightened scrutiny of Iran's nuclear activities, which have expanded significantly in recent years despite previous international agreements. The United States has repeatedly called for the removal of Iran's most sensitive nuclear materials as a prerequisite for further dialogue and the lifting of economic sanctions.
Iranian officials have historically maintained that their nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, though Western intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency have raised concerns about the potential military applications of Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. The refusal to transfer HEU materials suggests that Tehran is unwilling to make concessions that it views as compromising its sovereign rights to nuclear technology.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the US has been pushing for the export of Iran's HEU as part of a broader package of measures designed to reduce the breakout time for a potential nuclear weapon. The Iranian rejection of this proposal could complicate efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was effectively dismantled following the US withdrawal in 2018.
The Deputy Foreign Minister's comments were delivered without elaboration on the specific reasons behind the decision, leaving open questions about whether the stance is a negotiating tactic or a fundamental shift in Iran's nuclear policy. Analysts note that the refusal could lead to further escalation of tensions in the region, particularly if the US responds with additional sanctions or military posturing.
International observers are now watching to see how the United States and other Western powers will respond to Iran's firm rejection. The European Union, which has been actively involved in mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter.
As of Saturday evening, no further details have been released regarding the timeline for future negotiations or the potential consequences of this diplomatic impasse. The situation remains fluid, with both sides likely to reassess their strategies in the coming days.