Iran’s firm message to the US: “Not a single gram of uranium will leave the country” — statement made amidst Asim Munir’s visit

New Delhi. Iran has hardened its stance regarding the resumption of talks with the United States. Tehran has explicitly stated that it will not allow even a single gram of its uranium to be sent out of the country. According to Iran, the US must first take concrete steps to restore trust and fulfill all of Iran’s conditions. This statement, coming amidst the visit of Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to Iran, highlights the challenges surrounding potential negotiations between the two nations.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, stated on the social media platform X that no uranium would be sent out of the country. He emphasized that negotiations are not possible without the US taking steps to build trust, which would require initiating a process to fully meet all of Iran’s conditions.

Rezaei reiterated this position during his meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir. General Munir is currently in Iran as part of efforts to mediate and reduce tensions between the US and Iran.

Munir also met with President Pezeshkian and the Parliament Speaker.

According to Iranian media, President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Asim Munir in Tehran on Tuesday. The discussions covered regional developments and efforts toward mediation between the two sides.

According to the news agency NourNews, Munir also met with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Through these meetings, Pakistan is attempting to bridge the differences between the two sides and explore the possibilities for dialogue. Seven Conditions Set Before the U.S.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated that the United States cannot gain Iran’s trust unless it fulfills the seven conditions presented by Tehran last month.

These conditions relate to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Key demands include:
1. Ending the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
2. Lifting sanctions imposed on Iran’s oil exports.
3. Ceasing hostilities across all fronts in the region.

Iran asserts that the U.S. must take concrete action on these demands before any progress can be made toward negotiations.

Uranium Enriched Near Weapons-Grade Levels Will Not Be Removed
Mohsen Rezaei stated that, in line with the position of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels will not be removed from the country.

Iran’s nuclear program remains one of the primary obstacles to any potential agreement with the United States. Earlier this month, U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance remarked that Iran would need to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment capacity. According to him, this is a key U.S. demand and could facilitate efforts to end the ongoing eight-month conflict between the two nations.

U.S. Objects to Uranium Enrichment Up to 60%
The United States, Israel, and several Western nations have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons—a concern largely driven by Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60 percent.

This level is significantly higher than what is typically required for civilian nuclear applications. For context, weapons-grade uranium generally requires enrichment levels of approximately 90 percent.

Iran, however, has consistently denied allegations that it is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Disagreements between the two nations regarding the nuclear program and the limits on uranium enrichment remain a major challenge to reaching any agreement.

Pakistan is working to revive talks between the United States and Iran.
Pakistan is attempting to act as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran. Previously, Pakistan’s mediation efforts led to an interim peace agreement in June; however, this agreement collapsed just a few weeks later when hostilities between the two nations resumed.

Asim Munir’s current visit to Iran comes at a time when efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions and restore dialogue between the two sides. Mediation efforts face significant challenges, as Iran has insisted on not exporting its uranium and has demanded that all its conditions be met before any negotiations can take place.