Iran rules out transferring enriched uranium to US

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed reports suggesting that its enriched uranium could be transferred to the United States, saying the idea has “never been considered an option” in ongoing nuclear discussions.

Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on April 18 that Tehran’s negotiating team is operating “calmly and with full focus” on safeguarding what he described as the “interests and rights of the Iranian nation”, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

He stressed that the delegation is working under directives set by Iran’s leadership and would not be influenced by external pressure or media narratives.

Baghaei rejected recent media reports and comments by unnamed US officials, saying they were “not credible” and formed part of a broader effort to shape the negotiating environment.

“Iran’s enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere,” he said, adding that the country’s nuclear materials are considered a matter of national importance.

He also denied suggestions that Iran had proposed transferring uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, insisting that no such option had been placed on the table. According to him, discussions around the nuclear file involve “various possible approaches”, but the relocation of enriched material is not among them.

On wider negotiations, the spokesperson said claims about a permanent halt to enrichment were part of what he described as a “media campaign” aimed at influencing talks. He added that Iranian negotiators would not be swayed by such efforts.

Earlier, Trump had warned that the United States would take “unfriendly” measures if Iran refuses to cooperate over the removal of its enriched uranium, amid ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

While speaking aboard Air Force One on April 18, Trump said any transfer of enriched uranium would only take place once a formal agreement is signed, insisting the material would be removed in full under US supervision.

“We'll go in with the military. Will go in with Iran and we will take it together, and we will bring it back 100% of it back to the United States,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev