Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Iran has reportedly hardened its position in ongoing negotiations with Washington after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered that the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must not leave Iranian territory. The directive directly challenges one of the key demands pushed by the United States and Israel during talks aimed at preventing another phase of military escalation in the Middle East. The development comes at a fragile moment when ceasefire efforts and diplomatic negotiations remain under intense international scrutiny.

According to our sources, Tehran now considers retaining its enriched uranium a matter of national security and strategic sovereignty. Iranian officials reportedly fear that transferring uranium abroad would leave the country vulnerable if future agreements collapse or if military strikes resume. The issue has become one of the most sensitive sticking points in negotiations, with Washington and Tel Aviv insisting that Iran’s near weapons grade uranium stockpile should either be removed, diluted, or placed under tighter international control. Iran, however, continues arguing that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful energy and research purposes while maintaining that uranium enrichment remains its sovereign right under international agreements.

Iran’s latest stance signals that nuclear negotiations remain far from resolved despite continuing diplomatic efforts behind the scenes. With uranium enrichment emerging once again as the core dividing line between Tehran and Washington, the coming weeks may determine whether talks move toward compromise or push the region closer to another dangerous confrontation.