Russia reiterates readiness to take Iran’s enriched uranium

Russia’s top diplomat on Wednesday reiterated that Moscow was ready “to play a role in solving the problem of enriched uranium” in Iran.

“This role can take on many forms, including reprocessing highly enriched uranium into fuel-grade uranium, transferring a certain amount to Russia for storage.

Anything that is acceptable to Iran without, I repeat, violating its inalienable right, like the right of any other state, to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes,” Lavrov told reporters in Beijing, where he is on a two-day visit. Russia was part of the 2015 deal between Iran and six nuclear powers offering sanctions relief for Tehran in exchange for curbing its atomic programme and opening it to broader international scrutiny.

As part of the deal, Moscow removed large amounts of enriched uranium from Iran. The Kremlin offered political support to Iran when the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement during Trump’s first term.

Efforts to extend the ceasefire make progress, officials say. Mediators’ efforts to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have made progress as the warring sides are expected to return soon to the table for another round of negotiations, regional officials said.

The officials said mediators aim to extend the ceasefire, which is due to expire on April 22, for at least another two weeks to allow diplomacy another chance.

They said that both sides gave an “in principle agreement” to extend the ceasefire.

One of the officials, who is involved in the mediation efforts, said mediators were working on a compromise to the three main disputed points, including the nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and war compensation.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.