Reuters, citing two Iranian sources, has reported that Ali Khamenei has ordered that highly enriched uranium must not be transferred خارج Iran. The report was published on Thursday, May 21.
One Iranian source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters: “The directive of the Supreme Leader and the consensus within the establishment is that the stockpile of enriched uranium must not leave the country.”
According to Reuters sources, senior Iranian officials believe that transferring these materials abroad would leave Iran more vulnerable to possible future attacks by the United States and Israel.
The report adds that, given the decisive role of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the Islamic Republic’s major policies, this decision could harden Tehran’s position in negotiations with the United States and make the talks more complicated.
Reuters also wrote that the Iranian leader’s new order could increase Donald Trump’s frustration with the negotiation process, potentially raising the risk of escalating tensions and even renewed conflict.
In recent months, Trump has rejected several Iranian proposals over what was described as a lack of sufficient guarantees regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and he has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action.
According to the report, Trump, who had previously demanded the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, has recently agreed to a 20-year suspension of the program. However, he still insists that Iran hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to the United States.
Israel, the United States, and several Western countries have for years accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran, however, has consistently denied these accusations and maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful and civilian purposes.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
