- Mojtaba Khamenei orders Iran’s 970-pound 60% enriched uranium stockpile to remain in the country.
- The order follows Trump’s latest deal that requires Iran to ship out its enriched uranium stockpile.
- This risks derailing the nuclear talks, increasing oil volatility, and impacting crypto and risk assets.
On May 21, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, ordered that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium must not leave Iran. The stockpile includes about 440 kg (970 pounds) of highly enriched uranium with up to 60% purity.
The order directly conflicts with reports of Trump’s proposed deal requiring Iran to relinquish or ship out the near-weapons-grade material, a longstanding sticking point intensified after 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Uranium Stockpile to Stay
Iran’s Supreme Leader has directed that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile must not leave Iran. This order hardens Tehran’s position on a key demand in ongoing peace talks with the United States. The U.S. proposal, linked to President Donald J. Trump, calls for Iran to ship out roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to around 60% purity.
This development comes amid indirect negotiations following recent U.S.-Israeli military actions and a subsequent shaky ceasefire. The move directly counters a core U.S. and Israeli demand aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to quickly produce nuclear weapons material.
Why Khamenei Ordered Uranium Stockpile to Stay
According to Reuters, this directive represents a hardened consensus across Tehran’s leadership and directly rejects a core U.S. demand in the ongoing nuclear and peace negotiations with the Trump administration. Iranian officials fear that surrendering the enriched uranium would leave the regime dangerously exposed.
As one senior source stated, “removing the stockpile would make the country more vulnerable to future attacks by the United States and Israel.” After repeated U.S.-Israeli strikes on key nuclear sites like Fordow and Natanz, Tehran views the material as a critical insurance policy, a deterrent that cannot be surrendered without compromising national security.
What’s the Impact on the Nuclear Talks and the Crypto Market?
This order represents a major new roadblock in the fragile US-Iran nuclear negotiations. President Trump has publicly stated Iran must hand over the uranium “one way or the other,” while keeping military options on the table. Analysts warn the move could push talks toward collapse, revive sanctions pressure, or even prompt renewed threats of strikes on nuclear sites.
Meanwhile, Geopolitical shocks are triggering crypto volatility. Brent crude surged above $100 per barrel due to Hormuz risks, sparking risk-off flows. Higher oil prices are increasing inflation fears and reducing appetite for risk assets, which is feeding into crypto weakness.
Furthermore, crypto traders on X are reporting fresh downside moves in both spot and perpetual futures, with one noting “$BTC and $ETH are dumping again” directly after the Supreme Leader’s order broke.
Related: US-Iran Nuclear Talks Drive Bitcoin and Gold Lower
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