Iran War Updates: Iran vows not to part with "single particle of enriched nuclear material" as standoff continues

Iranian Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei declared in televised remarks to Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV that Iran will not permit even a single particle of enriched nuclear material to leave the country, according to The Jerusalem Post and Yahoo. Rezaei stated that Tehran has informed Moscow its enriched material will remain in Iran for domestic use, including designing nuclear-powered ships and submarines. The position contradicts Washington's stance that nuclear issues must be addressed in initial negotiations to end the conflict. Russia had previously offered to remove uranium from Iran as part of a potential deal but said the decision rested with Tehran.

Rezaei warned that any new U.S. attacks on Iran would be met with targeting American bases "far away," specifically threatening military bases in European countries if U.S. aircraft launch strikes from them. His comments came after U.S. officials downplayed the need for additional military action, with analysts noting President Donald Trump's more conciliatory tone since the Republicans' defeat in the November 3 midterm elections. Iran's Supreme Leader has reportedly issued a directive that near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad, according to two senior Iranian sources cited in May.

The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran held 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60% — far above civilian needs — when Israel and the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, though how much survived is unclear. Israel, the U.S., and other Western nations accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies. A senior Iranian official told Reuters last week that Iran has sent a nuclear proposal to the U.S. via Qatar, to be discussed only after Washington meets seven Iranian demands. Meanwhile, tensions persist in the Strait of Hormuz, where a tanker caught fire after hitting a naval mine and another incident was reported by U.K. Maritime Trade Operations. Reuters reported 37 ships were attacked in October, the highest monthly total since the war began, according to Washington Institute for Near East Policy data.