Iran has informed Pakistan that it is open to transferring part of its enriched uranium stockpile to a third country, a move seen as a potential confidence‑building step in efforts to reduce tensions with the United States. According to reports, Tehran prefers sending the material to a neutral partner such as Russia, rather than handing it directly to Washington — a stance consistent with its long‑standing distrust of US intentions.
The development comes as Pakistan continues its diplomatic outreach to help broker a US–Iran de‑escalation framework following the conflict that erupted on 28 February. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni on the sidelines of the SCO Interior Ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, where both sides reviewed regional security and discussed mechanisms to lower tensions.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry said the ministers exchanged views on internal security, regional stability, and “issues of de‑escalation,” with Islamabad positioning itself as a facilitator between Tehran and Washington. Naqvi has held multiple rounds of consultations with Iranian officials in recent weeks, reflecting Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in the crisis.
The uranium‑transfer proposal has renewed global focus on Iran’s nuclear programme. The Guardian reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Iran had agreed to discuss aspects of its nuclear activities that it had previously refused to negotiate — despite Tehran’s recent declaration that it was ending peace talks and moving to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say Iran’s willingness to part with enriched uranium may indicate a tactical shift aimed at easing sanctions pressure while retaining strategic leverage. However, the situation remains fluid, with Washington insisting on verifiable steps and Tehran demanding broader security guarantees.