Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a directive stating that the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium must under no circumstances be sent abroad. Two senior Iranian sources have confirmed this information. This move further hardens Tehran’s stance in opposition to one of the United States’ key demands. (Reported by Reuters.)
The report suggests that this directive from Mojtaba could become a new source of frustration for U.S. President Donald Trump. It may also introduce further complications into the ongoing discussions surrounding the cessation of hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Trump has long insisted that Iran must transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a foreign location.
Israeli officials told Reuters that Trump has assured Israel that the stockpile of highly enriched uranium—which Iran requires for the potential development of nuclear weapons—will be moved out of the country. Furthermore, he gave assurances that a specific clause regarding this matter would be included in any potential peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not consider the conflict to be over until Iran’s enriched uranium is removed, Tehran ceases its support for proxy militias, and its ballistic missile capabilities are dismantled.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Iranian source stated that the Supreme Leader’s directive—backed by a consensus within state institutions—is that the stockpile of enriched uranium must not be sent outside the country.
According to these sources, top Iranian officials believe that if the uranium were to be sent abroad, the country would become significantly more vulnerable in the face of potential future attacks by the United States and Israel.
As Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei currently holds the final authority on all critical state decisions; his word is the ultimate law in the country.
Reuters sought comment from both the White House and Iran’s Foreign Ministry regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s directive on the uranium issue, but received no response.
