IAEA Says Moving Iran’s Highly Enriched Uranium Is Difficult but Possible

Overview

• IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Al Jazeera on June 2 that transferring Iran’s highly enriched uranium is “difficult but not impossible” and requires complex handling.
• Grossi warned the material is stored in a gaseous, highly contaminant form that makes transport technically hazardous and logistically complicated.
• Experts and negotiators are considering downblending, a process that mixes the material to lower enrichment so it is less suitable for weapons use.
• President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the stockpile be handed over to the United States or destroyed under supervision, while Iran’s officials say they will not give up their legal right to enrichment under the NPT.
• The IAEA says it is not a party to U.S.–Iran talks but has separate communications with both sides and stands ready to advise and verify any technical arrangement, leaving the outcome dependent on political agreement and detailed safety planning.