Khamenei’s ’personal message’ to Putin on Iran’s enriched nuclear issue

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian officials have hinted at Tehran's possible interest in sending Iran's enriched uranium to Russia. The agreement is in line with the provisions of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

According to a report published in the news agency Roya News on Tuesday (February 3), the proposal was raised during a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Moscow. According to the report, Larijani delivered a 'personal message' from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the meeting with Putin, outlining Iran's interest in the arrangement as a practical step towards a nuclear deal.

The initiative comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, especially during the Trump administration. Tehran has been given a stern warning over its nuclear program and internal instability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed optimism about reaching a rational solution to the nuclear issue. However, he also stressed the lack of trust in Washington due to the US's past withdrawal from the deal.