U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly declined a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to Russia, according to a Friday report by Axios. The proposal, discussed during a Monday phone call between the two leaders, aimed to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East amid ongoing regional conflicts.
This marks the latest setback in efforts to address concerns over Iran's nuclear program. A U.S. official stated that Washington insists on securing the uranium rather than transferring it abroad. Iran previously rejected similar proposals during pre-war negotiations, instead suggesting dilution of its uranium under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision.
The rejection comes as the U.S. reportedly considers deploying special operations forces to secure Iran's highly enriched uranium, though Trump remained noncommittal when questioned about such plans during a Fox News interview on Friday.
Analysts suggest the diplomatic impasse reflects broader challenges in balancing nonproliferation efforts with geopolitical realities in the region. The development underscores the complex interplay between global powers and regional stability as Middle East conflicts persist into 2026.
