Iran ready to dilute enriched uranium if sanctions fully lifted: atomic energy chief

Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated that diluting Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% would only be possible if all sanctions are completely lifted in return.

These remarks, reported by Reuters on February 9, represent one of Iran's clearest positions amid recent talks with the United States. Iranian and U.S. diplomats met last week in Muscat, Oman, to revive diplomacy following heightened tensions.

The U.S. has demanded that Iran set aside its stockpile of enriched uranium, estimated by the International Atomic Energy Agency at over 440 kilograms enriched to 60% -- a level one technical step short of the 90% considered weapons-grade.

Eslami emphasized that proposals to transfer highly enriched uranium out of Iran were not discussed in recent talks with U.S. officials.

Separately, Tasnim news agency reported that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and close advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, will travel to Oman after the U.S.-Iran talks to discuss regional and international developments with Omani officials.