Iran Nuclear Talks Enter New Phase After Disputed Uranium Reports
Iran‘s nuclear position returned to the center of global market attention after conflicting reports over the country’s enriched uranium stockpile. A recent report said that Iran‘s Supreme Leader had directed that near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad, a move that would harden Tehran’s stance in peace talks with Washington. However, a senior Iranian official later denied that any new uranium order had been issued, according to market news account Walter Bloomberg. The official called the claims “enemy propaganda” and said Iran would continue domestic downblending, with the issue left for the next round of talks. Iran Pushes Back on Uranium Report The uranium question matters since Washington has made the future of Irans enriched stockpile a central part of any peace deal. Reuters reported that the U.S. wants Iran to ship out its stockpiles, while Tehran wants security guarantees, recognition of its sovereignty over Hormuz, and an end to strikes. Reports earlier in the day said Irans Supreme Leader ordered the material to remain inside the country. That raised concern that one of the main negotiation points had become harder to resolve. Oil prices rose after the Reuters report, with Brent crude climbing to $108.53 and WTI moving above $101, as traders priced a