IRIA News

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Iran has said it could dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium if all sanctions against the country are lifted, signaling possible flexibility in renewed negotiations with the United States.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said on February 9, 2026, that Tehran would consider reducing its 60% enriched uranium stockpile if sanctions were removed. He said the possibility of dilution “depends on whether all sanctions would be lifted in return”, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

It remains unclear whether the reference to sanctions includes all international restrictions or specifically those imposed by the United States.

Diluting uranium involves mixing highly enriched material with other substances to reduce its enrichment level below a set threshold. Iran is currently the only non-nuclear-weapons state enriching uranium to 60%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran maintains that it has the right to a civilian nuclear program under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which more than 190 countries are signatories. Western governments, led by the United States, suspect Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capabilities, a claim Iran has repeatedly denied.

Uncertainty over Uranium Stockpile

The comments come amid uncertainty about the location of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium Iran possessed before last year’s conflict with Israel and the United States.

UN nuclear inspectors last verified the stockpile’s location on 10 June 2025, just days before Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. According to a May 2025 IAEA report, the amount of uranium involved could be enough to produce up to nine nuclear weapons if enriched further to 90% weapons-grade levels.

The whereabouts of the material have not been publicly confirmed since the strikes.

Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases, and infrastructure on 13 June 2025. The United States followed with strikes on the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites on 22 June using bunker-buster bombs.

The attacks significantly damaged Iran’s enrichment capacity. However, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has said Iran could resume enrichment activities within months despite the damage.

Before the strikes, Iran had been enriching uranium to 60%, far above the 3.67% limit set under the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. That agreement effectively collapsed after the United States withdrew from it and reimposed sanctions.

Indirect Talks With US Resume in Oman

Eslami’s remarks followed indirect negotiations between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman. The talks were the first since the June conflict and were mediated by Omani officials.

Both sides agreed to continue discussions. Araghchi said Iran was serious about reaching results but warned that “the mistrust that has developed is a serious challenge”.

He added that Iran is “very serious in negotiations” and wants to “achieve results”, but stressed that distrust toward the United States remains high.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the negotiations as an “important opportunity to reach a fair and balanced solution”. He said Tehran is seeking guarantees for its nuclear rights and the lifting of what he called unjust sanctions.

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, is expected to travel to Oman to continue discussions and convey messages related to the negotiations.

US Demands and Pressure Continue

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for a total ban on Iranian uranium enrichment. Tehran has rejected that demand, saying it would be unacceptable and less favorable than the terms of the 2015 agreement.

Trump described the latest round of talks as “very good” but warned there would be “steep consequences” if Iran does not reach a deal. He said: “They want to make a deal as they should want to make a deal. They know the consequences if they don’t.”

Before negotiations resumed, the United States had threatened further military action. Additional US naval forces, including an aircraft carrier and accompanying warships, were deployed to the region following last year’s conflict.

Trump is also expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has urged Washington to maintain a hardline position. Israel is seeking broader concessions from Iran that would include limits on ballistic missiles and regional alliances in addition to nuclear restrictions.

Mixed Signals but Cautious Optimism

Both Washington and Tehran have offered mixed assessments of progress. While officials on both sides have described the talks as serious and constructive, significant differences remain.

Analysts say momentum toward a potential agreement is building, but the risk of renewed conflict remains. Diplomatic messaging from mediators in the Gulf region, including Oman and Qatar, has been described as positive.

At the same time, key details, including sanctions relief, uranium enrichment limits, and verification measures, remain unresolved.

Iran continues to insist that any agreement must recognize its right to peaceful nuclear energy and include the lifting of sanctions. The United States maintains that Iran must accept strict limits on enrichment to prevent the development of nuclear weapons capability.

The latest comments from Iranian officials suggest that dilution of highly enriched uranium could become a central bargaining point in ongoing negotiations, as both sides test whether renewed diplomacy can lead to a broader nuclear agreement.