In February 2026, Russia proposed to accept Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium as part of a potential resolution to the Iran-US conflict, raising significant concerns at the Pentagon and among nuclear non-proliferation specialists. This proposal would place Iran's near-weapons-grade material under Russian control, granting Moscow considerable influence over the Iran nuclear issue and US-Russian relations concurrently. Iran currently possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, just one step away from weapons-grade status. Both China and Russia have publicly opposed the reinstatement of US sanctions against Iran and endorsed a five-point peace initiative in March 2026 aimed at reestablishing normal transit through the Strait and honoring Iranian sovereignty.
