A senior Iranian source told foreign media that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that highly enriched uranium remain in the country, contradicting U.S. demands.
On 21 May 2026, international news agencies reported, citing two senior Iranian sources, that Iran's Supreme Leader has ordered a ban on exporting uranium enriched to near weapons-grade purity, opposing a key U.S. condition for ending the war, which demands Tehran hand over uranium to Washington.
"The Supreme Leader's order and the government's consensus is that the reserve of highly enriched uranium must not be exported," one source said, adding that senior Iranian officials believe exporting such material would expose the country to future attacks by the U.S. and Israel.
This order from Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei may further anger U.S. President Donald Trump and complicate peace negotiations between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran.
Israeli officials told Reuters that Donald Trump assured Israel that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, essential for nuclear weapons development, must be removed from Iran, and any peace agreement must include this stipulation.
Israel, the U.S., and other Western countries have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, pointing to uranium enrichment up to 60%, suitable for energy production but nearing the 90% weapons-grade level. Iran has consistently denied these allegations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he will not consider the war over until highly enriched uranium is removed from Iran, Tehran ends support for proxy armed groups in the region, and Iran's guided missile capabilities are dismantled.
Sources revealed that Iran's leadership is highly suspicious that the six-week ceasefire with the U.S. is a tactical ruse by Washington to lull Iran into a false sense of security before launching a new airstrike.
Iran’s chief peace negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said last Wednesday that "both overt and covert enemy actions" indicate that the U.S. is preparing for a new attack.
Meanwhile, Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. is ready to carry out further strikes against Tehran if Iran refuses to agree to a peace treaty but hinted Washington might wait a few days for the "right answer."
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Source:cna