Iran is standing firm against a US proposal to relocate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country—possibly Russia. This issue is becoming a major obstacle in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to scale back the Iran nuclear programme and prevent the material from being used for weapons development.
The plan emerged during recent indirect talks in Muscat, Oman. The discussions involved Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Though Oman acted as the go-between, some direct meetings were held between the two sides.
Why Iran Refuses to Let Go of Its Uranium Stockpile
Tehran insists that its uranium stockpile should remain within the country under strict monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iranian leaders argue that allowing the uranium to leave the country would leave them vulnerable if the US withdraws from any future agreement, just as it did in 2018 under Trump, abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by Barack Obama.
From Iran’s perspective, sending enriched uranium abroad without guarantees would be like giving away insurance. If the deal collapses again, Iran would have to restart its nuclear programme from scratch. Tehran believes this would unfairly punish them for America’s decision to pull out of a prior agreement.
Rome Set for the Next Round of Talks
In a surprising turn, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has agreed to host the next round of nuclear talks in Rome. This move is seen as a political gesture from Trump, bypassing traditional European players like France, Germany, and the UK—the so-called “E3.”
Hosting the talks in Rome may boost Italy’s role in international diplomacy, especially since it felt sidelined during the 2015 negotiations. Mohamed Amersi of the Foreign Policy Research Institute noted that Meloni might have the strongest direct line to Trump among European leaders.
US Vice President JD Vance is also expected in Rome over Easter weekend, underscoring the importance of the event.
Also Read: ‘Big Change Is Coming’: Trump Signals Iran Policy Shift, Global Powers on Edge
High Stakes for Iran’s Economy and Security
Iran comes to the negotiating table with significant pressure. Its economy is suffering under US sanctions, and there’s an ongoing threat of military strikes on its nuclear facilities.
To stabilize the economy, Tehran hopes to attract foreign investment, which would be more likely if sanctions were lifted. Discussions are already underway about offering insurance to international companies in case US-Iran relations sour again.
However, past efforts by the EU to protect European businesses—after Trump’s 2018 withdrawal—failed to shield firms from penalties.
The Bigger Picture: Regional Tensions and Missed Topics
Interestingly, the US has limited the scope of the talks, leaving out Iran’s so-called “destabilizing regional behavior.” This move has puzzled Israel and US conservatives. They argue Iran should also commit to reducing its involvement in places like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Iran, however, claims it is Israel that is expanding aggressively in those regions. The country’s regional power has also taken a hit recently. The fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Israel’s strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah, and ongoing US pressure in Yemen have all weakened Tehran’s position.
Additionally, Iran’s oil exports face growing sanctions, further shrinking its economic influence.
As the next round of talks approaches, the Iran nuclear programme remains at the heart of a larger geopolitical puzzle. With economic desperation on one side and strategic caution on the other, both Iran and the US are playing a high-stakes game that could shape Middle East policy for years to come.
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