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Russia is keeping its offer to take Iran's highly enriched uranium "on the table," according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, who said Moscow is not imposing the idea on anyone. The proposal, first raised during the era of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, has been repeatedly mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tehran has acknowledged the offer with gratitude but indicated it is not a current priority as it focuses on ending its conflict with the United States.

Coverage comparison

TASS's reporting on this story spans several statements from Russian and Iranian officials, as well as an assessment from a US arms control expert. The common thread across these reports is that Russia's proposal remains active, but its fate is tied to broader US-Iran negotiations, which are still in flux.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters in Moscow that the proposal to transport the material to Russia "remains fully 'on the table,'" and that Moscow is "not withdrawing it." He added that Russia is "not imposing anything on anyone" and considers the idea reasonable, stemming from experience during the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action period. In a separate interview with TASS, Ryabkov said Russia is ready to assist in the US-Iran negotiation process if necessary, but would not insist on being a mediating party.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a news conference in New Delhi, expressed Tehran's appreciation for Moscow's offer. "We are thankful to our Russian friends for their offer and for their intention to help the resolution of this problem," he said. Araghchi also said he had met President Putin in Saint Petersburg about two weeks earlier and discussed the matter. "When we come to this subject in later stages [of negotiations] and we come to that stage obviously we will have more consultations with Russia and we'll see if the Russian offer can help or not," he said. "This is not something for the time being." He emphasized that Iran has a "strategic partnership" with Russia and consults on all international, regional, and bilateral issues.

Another TASS report, citing Iran's updated draft conflict settlement agreement with Washington as quoted by the Al Hadath television, said Tehran is ready "to transfer the enriched uranium to Russia instead of the United States under certain conditions," though those conditions were not specified. The same report said Iran may give up demands for conflict-related compensation in exchange for "economic concessions" from Washington and that any potential agreement should be guaranteed by the international community.

However, a later report indicated that Tehran has not yet formally responded to the Russian proposal. Citing Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, TASS wrote that Russia "has still not received a response regarding the removal of enriched uranium from Iran." Iranian Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri-Kani was quoted as saying that "for now, the issue on the agenda is ending the war," and that other matters, including the removal of material, are not being discussed.

US President Donald Trump stated on May 27 that he was not satisfied with the option of transferring Iranian enriched uranium to Russia or China, according to TASS. In contrast, Thomas Countryman, a former acting US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Arms Control Association, told TASS that Russia's proposal is "useful" and "was part of the solution in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Program of Action." He hoped Russia would continue to make the offer, adding that whether enriched uranium is transported to Russia or downblended within Iran, both are "good solutions to what is a looming [nuclear] proliferation problem."

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reiterated Russia's readiness to assist both Tehran and Washington in implementing decisions on enriched uranium that may be reached during negotiations. She stressed Russia's position on Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and said the issue can only be resolved through political and diplomatic means.

Key claims

  • Russia's proposal to remove Iran's highly enriched uranium to Russia remains "on the table," according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, who said Moscow is not withdrawing it and is not imposing it on anyone.
  • Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Russian offer but said it is not a current priority and will be discussed at a later stage of negotiations.
  • A draft conflict settlement agreement, as quoted by Al Hadath television, reportedly includes a provision for Tehran to hand over enriched uranium to Russia instead of the US, under unspecified conditions.
  • Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said Russia has not received a response to its uranium removal proposal, and Iranian officials said they are not discussing the matter while focusing on ending the conflict with the US.
  • US President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with the option of transferring Iranian enriched uranium to Russia or China, as reported by TASS.
  • Thomas Countryman of the American Arms Control Association called the Russian proposal "useful" and noted it was part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action solution.
  • Russia stands ready to assist Iran and the US in implementing decisions on enriched uranium and in the broader negotiation process, according to officials including Maria Zakharova and Sergey Ryabkov.

Perspectives

Russia's position

Moscow's proposal to take Iran's highly enriched uranium remains on the table, and Russia is ready to assist in negotiations without imposing its services, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Iran's position

Tehran is grateful for the Russian offer but says it is not a current priority, focusing instead on ending the conflict with the US, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Deputy Secretary Ali Bagheri-Kani.

US perspective

President Donald Trump is not satisfied with transferring Iranian uranium to Russia or China, but arms control expert Thomas Countryman considers the Russian proposal useful and part of the JCPOA solution.