- Iran denies claims that Supreme Leader issued order requiring enriched uranium to stay inside the country.
- Iranian official calls reports 'enemy propaganda,' reaffirms commitment to domestic downblending.
- Issue to be addressed in next round of talks as nuclear diplomacy continues.
Iran Denies Reports of New Uranium Order
A senior Iranian official pushed back on reports that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had issued a directive mandating that enriched uranium remain within Iran's borders, dismissing the claims as "enemy propaganda." The denial comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive a nuclear agreement framework, with talks expected to resume in the coming weeks.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that no new order has been issued and that Iran will continue its longstanding practice of downblending enriched uranium domestically. "This issue will be addressed in the next round of talks," he added, signaling Tehran's willingness to discuss the matter within formal negotiation channels.
Downblending—a process that reduces the proliferation risk of fissile material—has been a key confidence-building measure in past negotiations, often paired with broader limits on enrichment levels and verification regimes. The denial underscores Tehran's effort to control the narrative around its nuclear program, a pattern seen throughout years of high-stakes diplomacy.
While the specific denial is unlikely to move energy markets on its own, it reinforces perceptions of stability in the region for now. Oil prices have remained rangebound, with traders focusing on broader supply-demand dynamics rather than nuclear diplomacy headlines. However, any concrete progress—or breakdown—in talks could alter the risk premium on Middle East energy assets.
The ongoing negotiations, involving U.S. and European interlocutors, continue in multilateral settings with regional mediation. Experts caution against reading too much into official statements, noting that real policy shifts typically emerge through formal concessions and verification arrangements rather than unilateral proclamations.
This article was updated to include context on downblending's role in past agreements.