• Russian President Vladimir Putin floated the idea of transporting and storing Iranian enriched uranium in Russia during talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to a report by Interfax.
  • The proposal, which has been previously rejected by the United States, underscores Moscow’s bid to position itself as a mediator in stalled nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
  • The discussions come amid broader strategic alignment between Russia and China, but the U.S. has insisted any custody arrangement must remain under its control.

Putin’s Proposal to Xi

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping the idea of transporting and storing Iran’s enriched uranium in Russia, Interfax reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter. The proposal, which has been repeatedly floated by Moscow in recent months, aims to break the deadlock in nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. The discussions between Putin and Xi took place during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit, according to the report.

“We have the technical capability and experience to ensure the safe storage and verification of Iran’s nuclear materials,” a Russian official familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Kremlin declined to comment on the report, and attempts to reach the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment were not immediately successful.

U.S. Rejection and Diplomatic Stalemate

The United States has previously rejected Russia’s offer to act as a custodian for Iran’s enriched uranium, insisting that any such arrangement must be under direct U.S. control. “The U.S. position remains clear: third-party storage is not a viable solution,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. Washington has instead pushed for a return to the original terms of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), though negotiations have stalled.

Iran has also expressed reluctance, asserting that its enriched uranium should remain within its borders. “Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and under IAEA safeguards. There is no need to transfer our material abroad,” an Iranian diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

Strategic Implications

The proposal comes as Russia and China deepen their strategic partnership, with Iran playing an increasingly central role in their alignment against Western-led sanctions. Analysts view the storage idea as a bid by Moscow to increase its diplomatic leverage in the Middle East and challenge U.S. influence. “This is part of a broader effort by Russia to position itself as a key broker in regional security issues,” said Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

However, without U.S. and Iranian buy-in, the proposal is unlikely to advance. “The U.S. rejection narrows the path for a Moscow-facilitated solution, leaving the status quo intact,” Snegovaya added. The situation remains fluid, with no breakthrough expected in the near term.