Tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have intensified, with recent talks revealing a significant sticking point. According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. has proposed that Iran either store its stockpile of highly enriched uranium outside the country or transfer it to a third party, such as Russia, to curb its nuclear ambitions and prevent the development of a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, has firmly rejected this demand, insisting that its uranium remain within its borders under the oversight of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Guardian reported.

The U.S. has reportedly offered Iran sanctions relief and other incentives to comply with its proposal, but Tehran has refused, viewing the demand as a potential risk to its sovereignty and security. Iran argues that the stockpile, accumulated over the past four years, serves as a safeguard against possible U.S. withdrawal from any future agreement—a concern rooted in former President Donald Trump’s decision in 2018 to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under Barack Obama. Tehran contends that if the uranium were moved abroad and the U.S. later reneged on the deal, Iran would be forced to restart its enrichment process from scratch, effectively penalizing Iran for a breach initiated by Washington.

Initial discussions, held largely indirectly in Muscat, Oman, involved Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Oman acting as a mediator. Despite the indirect nature of most exchanges, direct meetings between Araghchi and Witkoff also occurred. The talks highlighted the uranium stockpile as a major obstacle to reaching a broader agreement.

The next round of negotiations was initially set to take place in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, April 19, 2025, following an announcement by an Italian source and other reports. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed to host the talks, a move interpreted as a diplomatic gesture by the Trump administration toward Italy, while also sidelining major European powers in the negotiation process. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to be in Rome over the Easter weekend, underscoring the significance of the venue. However, Iran insisted on Tuesday, April 15, that the talks should instead remain in Oman, signaling a disagreement over the location and potentially complicating the diplomatic process.

Oman has played a crucial role as a neutral intermediary in these negotiations, hosting both indirect and direct discussions between the U.S. and Iranian delegations. The decision to shift the talks to Italy reflects an effort by the U.S. to involve new players in the process, though Iran’s resistance to the change highlights the broader challenges in reaching a consensus on Tehran’s nuclear program.

The Kremlin on Tuesday declined to comment when asked if Russia was ready to take control of Iran’s stocks of enriched uranium as part of a possible future nuclear deal between Iran and the United States as per reuters.