Putin Pushes Iran Toward Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin is urging Iran to accept a nuclear deal prohibiting uranium enrichment, despite Moscow’s public support for Tehran’s nuclear rights. The shift comes after the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict and reflects complex diplomatic maneuvering. Iran, however, remains resistant to abandoning enrichment entirely.
Putin Pushes Iran Toward Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal: Quick Looks
- Private Diplomacy: Putin advocates for a nuclear deal barring Iran from uranium enrichment.
- Shift From Public Stance: Russia has long publicly defended Iran’s right to enrich.
- Post-War Calculations: Israel-Iran conflict spurred tougher Russian posture.
- Briefings With Allies: Russia informed Israel of its stance.
- Trump’s Strategy: U.S. aims for zero enrichment in any new deal.
- Iranian Resistance: Tehran refuses to give up enrichment capability.
- Ukraine Tensions Linger: Iranian support for Russia complicates relations.
- Potential Talks Stalled: Plans for nuclear negotiations face uncertainty.
Putin Pushes Iran Toward Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal
Deep Look
Russian President Vladimir Putin has privately pressed both President Donald Trump and Iranian officials to consider a nuclear agreement under which Iran would halt all uranium enrichment, sources familiar with high-level discussions told Axios. This signals a significant departure from Moscow’s longstanding public support for Iran’s right to enrich nuclear fuel.
A Surprising Diplomatic Shift
For years, Russia has positioned itself as Iran’s principal diplomatic shield on nuclear issues, frequently defending Tehran’s nuclear program on the world stage. However, insiders say the Kremlin’s calculus has changed in the aftermath of April’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran—a conflict that saw devastating Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Three European officials and one senior Israeli official confirmed that Moscow has quietly urged Tehran to agree to “zero enrichment,” believing it would pave the way for negotiations with Washington and reduce tensions in the region.
“Putin would support zero enrichment,” one European diplomat with direct knowledge of the talks said. “He encouraged the Iranians to work toward that in order to make negotiations with the Americans more favorable. The Iranians said they won’t consider it.”
Quiet Conversations with Allies
Two sources said Russian officials even briefed the Israeli government about Putin’s private stance. A senior Israeli official confirmed:
“We know that this is what Putin told the Iranians.”
Putin is reported to have shared similar views during recent calls with President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, signaling a coordinated effort to pressure Tehran.
The Fallout From the Israel-Iran Conflict
The recent military conflict inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but failed to eliminate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium completely. Uncertainty remains over how many of Iran’s advanced centrifuges survived the attacks.
U.S. intelligence assessments suggest Iran retains sufficient technical capacity to resume nuclear advances quickly if negotiations falter.
President Trump has signaled that any new nuclear agreement must include Iran’s abandonment of domestic uranium enrichment—a demand that Tehran has staunchly rejected for years.
Trump’s Renewed Nuclear Push
The Trump administration is preparing for potential negotiations in the coming weeks, sources say, with “zero enrichment on Iranian soil” emerging as a central U.S. demand.
“Trump has made clear he wants a new nuclear deal with Iran,” one official said. “Zero enrichment is non-negotiable from the U.S. side.”
Iran, however, has consistently insisted that any agreement must preserve its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, citing sovereignty and national pride.
A Fractured Russia-Iran Relationship
Putin’s push for a tougher stance on Iran’s nuclear program comes amid complex geopolitical dynamics. Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of attack drones and surface-to-surface missiles for use in its war against Ukraine, forging a controversial and increasingly transactional alliance.
Yet the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict exposed tensions between Moscow and Tehran. Iranian officials were reportedly disappointed by Moscow’s limited response, which consisted mainly of public statements rather than concrete military or diplomatic support.
“During and after the war, the Iranians were disappointed that the Russians didn’t give them any significant support beyond press statements,” said one European diplomat.
Russia Offers an Alternative Supply Plan
Despite its newfound opposition to Iranian enrichment, Moscow has indicated it would be willing to help Iran meet its civilian nuclear needs if a deal is struck.
Sources said that Russia has conveyed willingness to remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium from the country and supply it instead with low-enriched uranium capped at 3.67% for civilian nuclear power plants. Additionally, Moscow would provide small quantities of 20% enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor and medical isotope production.
This arrangement would replicate earlier nuclear agreements, such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran’s enrichment was severely curtailed and surplus enriched uranium shipped out of the country.
Diplomatic Path Still Unclear
The path to renewed talks remains uncertain. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been in dialogue with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about resuming negotiations. There were plans for a potential meeting in Oslo in the coming days, but sources say both sides have cooled on that idea.
“They’re looking for a different venue,” one official said. “There’s still a willingness to talk, but neither side wants to appear too eager.”
Both the Kremlin and the White House declined to comment on these developments, and Iran’s mission to the United Nations also refrained from making any statements.
High Stakes for Global Security
Diplomatic observers say Putin’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering reflects an effort to stabilize the Middle East and preserve Moscow’s strategic relationships—both with Tehran and with Western capitals increasingly wary of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While Putin publicly maintains that Iran has the right to a civilian nuclear program, his private lobbying for a zero-enrichment outcome suggests a pragmatic recognition of the risks posed by further nuclear escalation in the region.
With Trump determined to secure a new nuclear deal, and Tehran adamant about preserving its nuclear sovereignty, the next round of negotiations could prove decisive for regional stability—and for the future of U.S.-Iran relations.
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