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Iran Rejects Sending Enriched Uranium to US, Warns of Countermeasures

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that transferring enriched uranium to a foreign country, particularly the United States, is not an option. He clarified that recent statements by Foreign Minister Araghchi regarding the Strait of Hormuz were made within the framework of the existing April 8 ceasefire, not signaling a new diplomatic deal. Baghaei accused the US of failing to honor a commitment to extend the truce terms to Lebanon and warned of Iranian "countermeasures" if the US naval blockade of the strategic strait continues. Reports indicate a potential second round of US-Iran negotiations may occur in Pakistan this weekend.

Key Points: Iran Rules Out Transferring Enriched Uranium to United States

  • Iran will not transfer enriched uranium
  • Strait of Hormuz open under truce
  • US accused of violating ceasefire terms
  • Iran warns of countermeasures to blockade
2 min read

Iran says transferring enriched uranium to US never an option

Iran's Foreign Ministry clarifies no enriched uranium will be sent abroad, warns of countermeasures over US Strait of Hormuz blockade, citing ceasefire terms.

"We have reached no new agreement. The ceasefire agreement is the one announced on April 8. - Esmaeil Baghaei"

Tehran, April 18

Iran will not transfer its enriched uranium to a foreign country, and sending it to the United States has never been under consideration, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Baghaei, speaking on state-run IRIB television, said that recent public statements by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi were made within the framework of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States announced on April 8, not as signals of a new diplomatic opening.

Earlier on Friday, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain "completely open" to commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce between Iran and the United States, Xinhua news agency reported.

Baghaei moved to clarify the foreign minister's position, saying that following a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, Tehran chose to apply safe-passage conditions outlined in its agreement with Washington to vessels transiting the strait.

"We have reached no new agreement," he said. "The ceasefire agreement is the one announced on April 8."

He accused the United States of failing, from the outset of the truce, to honor a commitment to extend its terms to Lebanon, a provision Iran insists was included in the April 8 agreement. Washington and Jerusalem have rejected that characterization.

Baghaei also warned that Iran would take "countermeasures" if a United States naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persisted. He said no talks on extending the ceasefire had taken place, and that mediation efforts led by Pakistan remained focused on ending the conflict and protecting Iran's interests.

Iran tightened its grip on the strait beginning February 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory. The United States subsequently imposed its own blockade, preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway after peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed over the weekend.

Axios reported Friday, citing people familiar with the talks, that a second round of United States-Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend, most likely on Sunday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The US and Iran have been at odds for so long. It's good that Pakistan is mediating, but I hope our own diplomats are also engaged behind the scenes. Stability in the region is in India's vital interest. 🇮🇳
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Arjun K
Iran is right to protect its sovereignty. No country would just hand over its enriched uranium. The US often makes demands without considering the other side's perspective. The ceasefire seems fragile if they're already accusing each other of breaking terms.
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Sarah B
Reading this from an Indian context, it's a bit worrying. Any conflict there affects oil prices, which affects everything here from petrol to vegetables. Hope the diplomats can sort it out without more posturing.
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Vikram M
The article mentions Israel too. The whole West Asia situation is so interconnected. India has good relations with many players in the region—the US, Israel, Iran, Gulf nations. We have to walk a very careful diplomatic line. Not an easy task for MEA.
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Karthik V
While I understand Iran's stance, blocking a major international shipping lane is not the answer. It hurts global trade and economies like ours. Both sides need to show more flexibility for the sake of ordinary people everywhere.

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