• Iran’s parliament has reiterated that enriched uranium must remain inside the country, rejecting U.S. demands for its export.
  • The stance comes as Iran continues to expand enrichment capacity, including feeding uranium into advanced IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz.
  • The hardline position complicates already stalled nuclear negotiations and keeps geopolitical risk elevated.

A senior Iranian lawmaker on the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said Wednesday that enriched uranium produced in Iran must not leave the country, signaling a firm red line in ongoing nuclear talks. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that “any deal must respect Iran’s right to maintain its enriched stockpile domestically.” The statement underscores Tehran’s insistence on enrichment rights as a non-negotiable principle.

Meanwhile, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that it has begun feeding uranium gas into cascades of advanced IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at the Natanz facility, according to people familiar with the matter. The move represents a further step in Iran’s enrichment program, which has steadily expanded despite international scrutiny. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted the activity in its latest confidential report, though it did not indicate a move toward weapon-grade enrichment.

The parliamentary position aligns with broader political sentiment in Tehran, where leaders view the nuclear program as a symbol of technological sovereignty. “The enrichment program is a national achievement, and there will be no compromise on its continuity,” a second lawmaker said, echoing earlier statements by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The developments come amid stalled diplomacy with Western powers over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. U.S. negotiators have pressed for limits on Iran’s enrichment capacity and the export of stockpiles, but Tehran has resisted. Efforts to restart talks have hit a snag, with no new rounds scheduled.

Market reactions have been muted so far, as oil prices remain driven by broader supply concerns. However, analysts warn that without a diplomatic breakthrough, Iran’s enrichment expansion could shrink the window for a negotiated resolution. “The longer Iran advances its program, the harder it becomes to roll back,” said a nuclear nonproliferation expert. “We’re approaching a point where technical constraints may limit options.”

Repeated attempts to reach Iran’s mission to the United Nations for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the IAEA report. It was issued on Tuesday.