Kazakhstan has proposed taking custody of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile in the event that a new nuclear agreement is reached, according to diplomatic sources. The offer aims to resolve a longstanding barrier to reviving the 2015 accord by providing a neutral third-party site for sensitive material.
The offer from Astana
Under the proposal, Kazakhstan would store and monitor Iran’s uranium, ensuring it remains peaceful. The condition is explicit: the arrangement would only take effect if a comprehensive deal is signed. Officials in Astana have not detailed the logistics, but the move positions the Central Asian nation as a potential guarantor of nonproliferation.
Why the stockpile matters
Iran’s enriched uranium has been a central sticking point in talks. Negotiators have struggled to agree on how much Iran can keep, and where the rest goes. Past offers to ship excess material abroad fell through. Kazakhstan’s offer provides a geographically close and politically neutral option. The country already hosts the world’s largest uranium mine and has experience with nuclear safeguards.
Next steps in the negotiations
Diplomats said the offer is being circulated among the parties involved in the talks. Iran has not publicly responded. A formal meeting to discuss the proposal is expected in the coming weeks. The outcome will depend on whether Iran accepts foreign control of its stockpile and whether other nations fund the operation.
