Iran Expresses Interest in Regional Nuclear Fuel Alliance

• Iran’s spokesperson refutes claims of a proposed regional consortium.
• Baqaei states that Iran is open to initiatives and would participate.
• Minister asserts Tehran will continue uranium enrichment regardless of agreements.

On Monday, Iran expressed its openness to creating a regional nuclear fuel consortium, while affirming it would maintain uranium enrichment activities.

Since April 12, Tehran and Washington have engaged in four rounds of nuclear discussions mediated by Oman, marking the most significant interactions between the two nations since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

U.S. officials have recently condemned Iran’s uranium enrichment initiatives, which Tehran has declared as “non-negotiable.”

In recent reports from international outlets, including The Guardian and The New York Times, it was claimed that Iran had proposed the idea of a regional uranium enrichment consortium.

However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed these reports, noting that while the concept had been discussed previously by various nations, it was not an Iranian initiative.

“One rationale for such a proposal is that Middle Eastern nations, including those in the Persian Gulf, might need nuclear energy to construct new power plants, which require nuclear fuel,” Baqaei said during a weekly press conference.

“Should such a proposal arise, we would be receptive to it and could take part, but it’s important to clarify that this would not replace Iran’s existing uranium enrichment program,” he added.

On Tuesday, The New York Times cited four anonymous Iranian officials claiming that Tehran had envisioned “a collaborative nuclear enrichment program with Arab nations and U.S. investments.”

This initiative could serve as an alternative to U.S. demands for the dismantling of its nuclear program, the article noted.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated on Sunday that Tehran would persist with enrichment “regardless of any deal,” following comments from U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff asserting that Washington would not permit even 1% of enrichment capability.

Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60%, a significant increase from the 3.67% cap set by the 2015 agreement, yet it remains below the 90% threshold required for a nuclear weapon.

Western nations, including the U.S., have long accused Iran of pursuing atomic weapons, while Iran maintains its nuclear endeavors are solely for peaceful uses.

Throughout the course of U.S.-Iran negotiations, Tehran has frequently criticized what it sees as contradictory statements from U.S. officials regarding its nuclear agenda, without further details.

Araghchi remarked on Sunday that Tehran has perceived “discrepancies between public and private comments made by our U.S. counterparts.”