US-Iran Peace Deal: What Happens to Iran’s 440.9-kg Stockpile of 60%-Enriched Uranium?

 

 

 

by Ashis Sinha
The US-Iran peace deal may have ended the war, but the fate of Iran’s 440-kg enriched uranium stockpile remains unresolved. Here’s why the nuclear issue could shape the future of the agreement.

 

 

The announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement has eased fears of a wider Middle East conflict and sent global markets soaring. Yet one of the most sensitive issues at the heart of the dispute remains unresolved: Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

While President Donald Trump has hailed the agreement as a historic breakthrough, negotiators on both sides acknowledge that the future of Iran’s nuclear programme will be decided in a separate round of talks expected over the next 60 days.

The Uranium Question

Iran is believed to possess more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity—far above the level required for civilian nuclear power and only a short technical step away from weapons-grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently demanded a full accounting of Iran’s remaining uranium stockpiles and access to inspect nuclear facilities after previous military strikes failed to eliminate the material.

The issue has become the biggest obstacle to a final peace settlement.

What Does the Current Deal Say?

According to details of the draft memorandum reported by Reuters, Iran has agreed not to build or acquire nuclear weapons, halt further uranium enrichment, and freeze expansion of its nuclear facilities. However, the agreement does not provide a final solution regarding existing enriched uranium stocks.

Instead, both countries have postponed the matter for future negotiations.

Reuters reported that unresolved questions surrounding Iran’s enrichment capability and uranium reserves were deliberately left out of the preliminary agreement to avoid derailing the broader peace process.

Washington Wants Removal or Destruction

The United States has consistently demanded that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium be removed, destroyed, or placed beyond Tehran’s control.

President Trump previously stated that the United States would ultimately “retrieve” the uranium and ensure Iran could never use it for weapons development. American officials involved in the negotiations have reportedly pushed for the eventual dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme and the removal of enriched uranium from the country.

Some reports linked to the negotiations have suggested that uranium removal could become part of the final settlement.

Iran Refuses to Surrender Its Stockpile

Tehran, however, has publicly rejected demands to hand over its enriched uranium.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran has not agreed to transfer its stockpile abroad and that the nuclear issue is not part of the current peace agreement. Iranian officials insist the matter will only be discussed during negotiations on a comprehensive accord.

Iran’s leadership has also drawn a red line against exporting the material. Reuters previously reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei directed negotiators to ensure that Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium remains inside the country.

A Possible Compromise?

One potential compromise is emerging.

Iran has indicated it could consider diluting its 60-percent enriched uranium to lower levels suitable for civilian nuclear use while keeping the material on Iranian soil under international monitoring. Such a formula could allow Tehran to preserve its nuclear rights while addressing Western concerns about weapons proliferation.

However, Washington has not publicly endorsed that approach.

The Deal’s Biggest Test

For now, the peace agreement has ended the fighting, reopened the path to diplomacy, and reduced tensions across global energy markets. Yet diplomats say the real test lies ahead.

Whether Iran’s enriched uranium is destroyed, diluted, monitored, or ultimately transferred abroad will likely determine whether the current ceasefire evolves into a lasting peace accord—or becomes merely a temporary pause in one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear standoffs.