Two senior Iranian sources told Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei, described as Iran’s new supreme leader, has ordered that the country’s enriched uranium stockpiles must not be transferred abroad — a decision that could further complicate negotiations aimed at ending the war and reducing tensions with the United States.
According to one Iranian source cited by Reuters, there is broad consensus within Iran’s ruling establishment that moving uranium stockpiles outside the country would leave Iran more vulnerable to future American or Israeli attacks.
Reuters reported that Iranian officials now consider retaining enriched uranium inside Iran as part of Tehran’s broader deterrence strategy.
Olivia Walls, a White House spokesperson, responded by saying that President Donald Trump would only accept an agreement that “serves the interests of the American people.”
At the same time, Israeli officials told Reuters that Trump had assured Israel that any future agreement must include the removal of enriched uranium stockpiles from Iran.
The United States, Israel, and several Western countries have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons capability — allegations Tehran continues to deny.
Western governments frequently point to Iran’s 60-percent uranium enrichment, a level described as far beyond civilian needs and close to weapons-grade capability.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war cannot be considered over unless enriched uranium stockpiles are removed from Iran, Tehran’s support for proxy groups ends, and the country’s missile capabilities are restricted.
According to Reuters, negotiations between Tehran and Washington continue with Pakistani mediation, but major disagreements remain unresolved — including the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the country’s right to enrich uranium.
Two Iranian sources also said there is deep suspicion inside Iran that any pause in fighting could simply provide the United States and Israel time to prepare for renewed attacks.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief peace negotiator, reportedly warned that “open and hidden enemy movements” indicate Washington is preparing additional military strikes.
Trump has also warned that the United States is ready for further attacks if Iran refuses to accept a peace agreement.
According to estimates from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran possessed around 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent at the time Israeli and American strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
The IAEA stated that much of the stockpile was stored at the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear complexes, although the exact amount remaining after the attacks remains unclear.
Iran insists part of the enriched uranium is needed for medical purposes and the Tehran research reactor, while Western governments continue expressing concern over the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program.
Analysts say the dispute over uranium stockpiles now goes beyond technical nuclear negotiations and has become deeply connected to deterrence, regional power balance, and regime security calculations inside Iran.
Observers also warn that even if diplomacy continues, the high level of mistrust between Tehran and Washington could make any future agreement fragile and difficult to sustain.
