Iran's security chief vows no export of enriched uranium amid US talks
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei told Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir that no enriched nuclear material will leave Iran, linking the stance to unmet U.S. conditions.
In Tehran, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, informed visiting Pakistani army chief Asim Munir that the country will not permit any enriched nuclear material to be exported, calling it a vital national resource. He stressed that negotiations cannot proceed until the United States takes steps to build trust by meeting Tehran's seven stipulated conditions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who serves as both chief negotiator and speaker of Iran's parliament, reiterated that Iran's decisions will not be swayed by external threats or military maneuvers.
The statements were made amid renewed Pakistani mediation attempts aimed at reviving a stalled peace process between Iran and the United States. Iran continues to demand a regional ceasefire, the release of frozen assets, and the lifting of oil sanctions. Previous talks in June produced a short-lived memorandum, and recent UN-side discussions have not yielded a breakthrough.
Why it matters
Iran's refusal to move enriched uranium heightens tensions in nuclear negotiations with the United States.
How this story developed
- Sep 29 Oil prices jump as US-Iran tensions flare and US troops leave Iraq
- Oct 2 The administration emphasized managing public expectations about a rapid settlement with Iran.
- Oct 5 Pezeshkian argued that three attacks have taken place since talks began, suggesting the U.S. aims to topple Iran. He said the adversary relies on assassination, sanctions and broken promises, making negotiations futile. The conflict started with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February and a June memorandum briefly outlined a resolution before Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz reignited fighting. Recent indirect talks at the UN failed to break the deadlock, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that only a just negotiation, not military force or new sanctions, could end the war.
- Oct 10 According to the Revolutionary Guard, the vessel hit a mine and burst into flames while transiting the Hormuz Strait. The flag of the ship has not been identified. The incident follows a series of recent attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf, including Iran's claim that it shot at a tanker using an "illegal channel." The flare-up has contributed to a rise in global oil prices and renewed worries about the security of one of the world’s key oil transit routes.
- Oct 13 Trump’s Strait of Hormuz announcement and dismissal of Iran’s UN proposal occurred alongside a Brent price jump and the departure of the final U.S. soldiers from Iraq.
- Oct 14 Iran announced a revised method for targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 17 A supertanker hit a sea mine in the strait, triggering a fire.
- Oct 17 President Pezeshkian issued a new statement declaring talks with the United States futile.
- Oct 20 US Central Command said about 400 ships and 100 million barrels of oil still transited the strait.
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