Iran’s Uranium Stockpile—Enough for a Dozen Bombs—May Be Moved to Russia

Iranian representatives proposed sending their stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad—potentially to Russia—during the first round of negotiations with the United States held in Oman on February 6, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal published February 17.

The discussions also included an indication from Tehran that it could pause uranium enrichment for several years, diplomats familiar with the talks told the publication.

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

However, it remains the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level approaching the roughly 90 percent purity required for nuclear weapons—a key reason Washington is seeking a new agreement to curb the program.

“At the preliminary meeting in Oman, Iran told the US it was prepared to send abroad this highly enriched material—enough to fuel 12 nuclear bombs—possibly to Russia,” Iranian, Arab, and US officials told the newspaper.

Diplomats added that Iranian officials also suggested enrichment activities could be suspended for up to three years as part of a potential arrangement.

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According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposed pause may carry limited practical effect because enrichment activity is believed to have already stopped after US strikes in June severely damaged Iran’s principal nuclear facilities.

The report also noted that, following the June 2025 exchanges between the US and Iran, much of Iran’s existing highly enriched uranium stockpile is now thought to remain buried beneath debris at the targeted nuclear sites.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog in Geneva, ahead of a second round of indirect negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program.

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