Iran Demands Domestic Uranium Blending Before Final US Deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran considers the dilution of its highly enriched uranium inside its own borders as the only acceptable solution to the ongoing nuclear standoff with the US. Araghchi stated that sensitive issues, such as enrichment thresholds and stockpiles, h
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The Iranian government has established its baseline conditions for a comprehensive diplomatic settlement with the US, offering a domestic compromise on its highly enriched uranium stockpile while drawing an unyielding line over the sovereignty of global shipping lanes, PressTV and The Jerusalem Post reported.
Domestic blending as the sole nuclear path
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran views the down-blending (dilution) of its highly enriched uranium within Iranian territory as the only permissible resolution to the nuclear component of the conflict. Araghchi clarified that highly sensitive technical disputes – specifically regarding uranium enrichment caps and Iran’s existing stockpiles of weapons-grade material – have been intentionally deferred to the second phase of a potential multi-tiered accord with Washington.
According to US intelligence estimates, Iran currently possesses an estimated 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, the vast majority of which is secured at facilities in the Isfahan region. By proposing to dilute this material domestically rather than shipping it out of the country, Tehran aims to retain its core nuclear infrastructure while defusing immediate Western anxieties regarding a rapid breakout capability.
The stance on the interim framework
Despite recent optimistic declarations from Washington, Araghchi emphasized that Iran is entirely unready to engage in broader, permanent nuclear negotiations until the explicit provisions of the current temporary or interim agreement are fully realized by both nations. The Iranian leadership views the strict implementation of this interim framework as a mandatory prerequisite for any long-term normalization of bilateral relations.
The US reportedly plans to reduce fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, tankers and naval assets assigned to NATO operations in Europe, raising pressure on allies to fill key defense gaps.
Iranian foreign minister said that the broader memorandum of understanding must be anchored on absolute mutual respect for state sovereignty and strict non-interference in domestic affairs. Furthermore, the document must legally resolve the ongoing maritime blockade of Iranian shipping routes, ensure the complete cessation of hostilities across multiple regional fronts, and codify the future status of the Strait of Hormuz.
Amidst the diplomatic maneuvering, Araghchi struck a triumphalist tone regarding the monthslong military standoff, boldly declaring that Tehran considers itself the definitive victor in its direct kinetic confrontation with Washington.
The battle for the Strait of Hormuz
The primary geopolitical flashpoint in the text remains the management of the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s crucial oil transit chokepoint. Araghchi reasserted that Iran considers the waterway to be a zone under its absolute sovereign control, shared exclusively with neighboring Oman. He warned that returning to any previous international or Western-led maritime management format is no longer on the table.
This position was quickly reinforced by Iran’s official state news agency, IRNA, which published a notice confirming that Iran will never relinquish control over the passage, explicitly ruling out any prospective US participation in its future administration or policing.
A backdrop to Trump’s “wonderful deal”
The rhetorical boundaries erected by Tehran challenge recent descriptions of the diplomatic process broadcast by the White House. On June 11, US President Donald Trump enthusiastically announced the framework of a “wonderful deal” that he claimed could permanently end the war with Iran, indicating that an official signing ceremony was being arranged in Europe with the participation of US Vice President JD Vance.
During a subsequent telerally, Trump claimed the US had “ended the war,” asserting that the Iranians had formally agreed to never acquire a nuclear weapon.
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, downplayed the American narrative, characterizing reports of a finalized treaty as “merely speculation” and noting that final approvals had not been granted by Iran’s strategic leadership.
While President Trump subsequently called off additional bombardments – claiming the “final points” of a transaction were being reviewed – the US maritime blockade remains firmly in place. With Tehran demanding a domestic monopoly on uranium dilution and authority over the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration faces a steep diplomatic hurdle to transform its interim memorandum into a verified, lasting peace.
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