Russia says it's ready to remove highly enriched uranium from Iran

Russia has expressed willingness to help ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme by offering to take Iran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) and convert it into fuel for civilian reactors.

This proposal comes as part of broader efforts to find common ground and reduce the risk of escalation.

While Iran insists on its right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, its rapid uranium enrichment has raised concerns in the West and Gulf states about potential military intentions. The U.S. has been working to revive negotiations with Iran, though President Donald Trump said this week that he’s now less optimistic about reaching an agreement than he was months earlier.

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Moscow is prepared to offer not only political support but also practical assistance- specifically, the removal and repurposing of Iran’s enriched uranium. However, Ryabkov did not clarify whether the resulting reactor fuel would be returned to Iran for domestic use.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia's readiness to provide such services if all sides involved deem it necessary. While Russia supports Iran's right to civilian nuclear development under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it remains firmly opposed to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and warns against any military intervention.

Since the U.S. exited the 2015 nuclear agreement during Trump's presidency and reimposed sanctions, Iran has expanded its enrichment activities far beyond the limits previously agreed upon. Meanwhile, Russia, despite its own close military and strategic ties with Tehran, is positioning itself as a potential mediator in the stalled negotiations.

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