Dmitry Peskov says Moscow is ready to revive the proposal if it helps reduce tensions in the Middle East
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia’s proposal to host Iran’s enriched uranium remains on the table despite previously being rejected by the US.
The issue of Tehran’s nuclear program has long been a sticking point in negotiations with Washington. US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and hand over its enriched uranium reserves, a proposal rejected by Tehran.
Iranian officials say they are not seeking a nuclear bomb, but insist that uranium enrichment is their sovereign right and for civilian use. Tehran has previously hinted that it might send some of its enriched uranium to a third country such as Russia and the idea was reportedly raised in talks before the US and Israel launched their military campaign on February 28.
Speaking to India Today on Wednesday, Peskov said Russia has offered “A long time ago.” and that was tehran “Ok” In those days. he called the plan “A very good solution,” but said “Unfortunately, the US side rejected this proposal,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said “Ready to return to this initiative.”
Asked whether Russia would allow full monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Peskov replied: “We are in full cooperation.” He said that Iran was “One of the most thorough inspections” countries by the United Nations monitoring body, which “Any attempt by Iran to produce nuclear weapons has never been acknowledged.”
Peskov’s comments come amid reports of ongoing indirect contacts regarding a possible second round of US-Iran talks after talks in Islamabad ended without results last week. Tehran has accused Washington “Breach of Trust” And trying to set terms.
The US reportedly proposed a 20-year moratorium on Iranian enrichment and the removal of Tehran’s existing stockpile. Trump has since said a 20-year embargo would still not be enough, while Iranian negotiators reportedly opposed a five-year embargo and rejected US calls to seize about 440 kilograms of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Tehran “An inalienable right” Enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.
