Iran Boosts Enriched Uranium Stockpile

Iran's Supreme Leader Directs Retention of Enriched Uranium

DUBAI, May 21 – Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a directive that the country's near-weapons-grade uranium must remain within Iran, according to two senior Iranian sources. This decision, communicated on May 21, hardens Tehran's negotiating position regarding a key U.S. demand in ongoing peace talks aimed at resolving the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The directive directly contradicts a U.S. objective, as U.S. President Donald Trump had reportedly assured Israeli officials that Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile would be removed from the country as part of any peace agreement. Iran's uranium is enriched to 60%, significantly above civilian requirements and closer to the 90% needed for weapons-grade material. Iranian officials believe that exporting the material would increase the country's vulnerability to future attacks.

This development complicates ongoing peace negotiations, which have seen a shaky ceasefire since hostilities began on February 28. While some gaps between the parties have narrowed, significant disagreements persist, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program and its demand for recognition of its right to uranium enrichment. The White House and Iran's foreign ministry have not commented on the Supreme Leader's directive.