Russian President Vladimir Putin has told both President Trump and Iranian officials that he supports the idea of a nuclear deal in which Iran is unable to enrich uranium, according to sources familiar with diplomatic discussions. This contradicts Russia’s public position and could prove pivotal in ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
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Before the recent strikes, Iran had accumulated enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build multiple nuclear bombs. While the attacks damaged key facilities, early intelligence suggests much of Iran’s uranium stockpile may have been moved to undisclosed locations, and core underground components appear to have survived.
A nuclear-armed Iran would trigger regional arms races and destabilize global energy markets, while failure to reach a deal increases the risk of broader military conflict in the Middle East.
Putin’s Double Game
Putin’s behind-the-scenes position contradicts Russia’s public stance. While Moscow publicly advocates for Iran’s right to enrich, Putin