Overview
- Putin raised the idea during his first call of the year with Trump, which both sides described as substantial and focused in part on Iran.
- The Kremlin says Putin conveyed proposals and offered Russian mediation, while Axios reports Trump declined the transfer plan.
- An unnamed U.S. official told Axios the offer had been floated before and reiterated that Washington’s position is to see the uranium secured.
- Iran is believed to hold roughly 450 kg of 60% enriched uranium that could be converted to weapons-grade within weeks and is considered enough for more than ten bombs.
- Russia previously stored Iran’s low-enriched uranium under the 2015 nuclear deal and is seen as technically capable, as U.S. defense leaders say they have options to control the stockpile and CNN reports a seizure could require a larger force with much of the material likely at Isfahan.