NYT: US to demand Iran transfer enriched uranium stockpile

The United States plans to demand that Iran reduce the enrichment level of its nuclear fuel and transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to the US or another country during talks with Tehran, The New York Times reports, citing sources.

The newspaper said the agreement gives Iran and Oman 60 days to negotiate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while requiring Washington and Tehran to resume discussions over the future of Iran's 11-ton stockpile of enriched uranium, including about half a ton of fuel currently enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

The report noted that the US wants the material to be diluted so it can no longer be readily used to produce nuclear weapons and eventually shipped to the United States or another country, where it could either be disposed of or used as fuel for nuclear power plants.

According to The New York Times, US officials acknowledge any negotiations, if they begin, are likely to continue well into the autumn or beyond. Some officials privately doubt that a nuclear agreement will be reached.

Sources also told the newspaper that President Donald Trump could propose leaving Iran's nuclear materials buried beneath the rubble created by US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.

A 14-point memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States was agreed in June. Under the document, the two sides are expected to finalise a nuclear agreement within 60 days of signing, with the deadline expiring at the end of August. However, the countries have repeatedly exchanged strikes since then.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov