US Rejects Russia's Intention to Take Over Iran's Uranium
Russia is keen to take over ownership of Iran’s enriched uranium as a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict. However, this intention was immediately rejected by the United States (US).
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Reuters and Anadolu Agency on Thursday (16/4/2026), stated that President Vladimir Putin had proposed the idea some time ago, describing it as a “very good solution” that was ultimately rejected by the US side.
“Russia is ready to accept Iran’s enriched uranium on its territory,” Peskov told India’s India Today television channel, as quoted by RIA news agency.
“This would be a good decision. But unfortunately, the Americans rejected this proposal,” he said.
Peskov added that Putin remains willing to reconsider the idea if the involved countries request it.
Recent media reports indicate that Russia first offered to take over Iran’s uranium stockpile in June last year, but there was no follow-up. Moscow resubmitted the proposal this week.
Meanwhile, US media reports, citing certain sources, state that the administration of President Donald Trump has rejected Russia’s proposal. Iran is reported to have said that any decision will depend on whether they can reach an agreement with the US, including on its nuclear programme.
Washington has previously cited Iran’s supply of enriched uranium – and the possibility that Tehran could obtain nuclear weapons – as the basis for its attacks on Iran.
A Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stated last year that Russia was willing to relocate the uranium supply from Iran and convert it into civil reactor fuel to help facilitate negotiations.
The relocation of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has become one of the US’s main demands in peace talks to permanently end the war that has been raging since 28 February. Most of this material, estimated at around 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, is buried under Iran’s nuclear site that was bombed by the US and Israel in the war last June.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Iran would hand over the stockpile voluntarily or the US would take it by other means.
In his statement, Peskov also rejected justifications for the war between the US-Israel and Iran. Peskov emphasised that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, has never found evidence that Iran is building nuclear weapons.
Such accusations, he said, were used “as a pretext for aggression”.
When asked further whether Russia is providing military intelligence or logistical support to Iran, Peskov affirmed: “Russia is not involved in this. This is not our war.”
According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Moscow is providing military assistance to Tehran “in various directions”, without specifying whether this includes intelligence on US military forces.
US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, previously said that Putin personally assured Trump that Russia is not sharing intelligence with Iran.