Moscow has trump card that can break deadlock in US-Iran talks — expert

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The prospect of the United States and Iranian authorities agreeing to Moscow’s proposal to transfer Iranian enriched uranium to Russia could prove pivotal in breaking the deadlock in Tehran-Washington negotiations, said Oleg Akulinichev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Iranian Business Council under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, scholar, and diplomat, in an interview with TASS. "Russia plays a crucial role as a guarantor of regional stability," Akulinichev explained. "During upcoming visits by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing, Iran will undoubtedly be a central topic of discussion with China." He emphasized that unlike the United States, Russia has maintained a trusting dialogue with Tehran and possesses a unique proposal that might resolve the ongoing impasse: the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia. According to Akulinichev, this initiative could satisfy all parties involved. "Iran would receive assurances that its uranium remains secure, as Russia is a partner in the Bushehr nuclear power plant," he noted. "Meanwhile, the United States would be assured that this uranium will not be diverted for weaponization." He observed that currently, talks between Washington and Tehran are on hold, awaiting developments from the Beijing meetings. "If Beijing can secure the West’s fundamental agreement to Russian guarantees regarding the transferred uranium, it would constitute a tectonic shift in the process," Akulinichev asserted. "Russia is evolving from an observer into an active participant in global nuclear security, while Iran gains an opportunity to lift sanctions without losing face." On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that Russia’s previous proposals for the removal of Iranian enriched uranium remain on the table. "I believe this is a sound proposal. If all parties agree, Iran can be confident that these materials will be safely transferred to a friendly country that continues to cooperate with Iran in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," Putin stated.