- Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered Iran’s 970 kilos of 60% enriched uranium stockpile to stay within the nation.
- The order follows President Trump’s newest deal requiring Iran to take away its enriched uranium stockpile.
- This dangers derailing nuclear negotiations, growing oil volatility, and impacting cryptocurrencies and danger belongings.
On Could 21, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Chief Mojtaba Khamenei ordered that the nation’s near-weapons-grade uranium can’t go away Iran. The stockpile incorporates roughly 440 kg (970 lb) of extremely enriched uranium with a purity of as much as 60%.
The order is in direct battle with experiences of President Trump’s proposed deal that will require Iran to surrender or export near-weapon-grade supplies, a long-standing problem that was bolstered after the 2025 assault on Iran’s nuclear amenities.
Iran’s supreme chief orders halt to uranium stockpiling
Iran’s supreme chief has ordered that the nation’s near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile should not go away the nation. The order hardens Iran’s place on key calls for in ongoing peace negotiations with the US. The U.S. proposal linked to President Donald J. Trump requires exporting about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to about 60% purity to Iran.
The event comes amid oblique negotiations following latest navy motion between the US and Israel and an uneasy ceasefire that adopted. This transfer is in direct opposition to a core US and Israeli demand geared toward decreasing Iran’s capacity to quickly produce nuclear weapons materials.
Why Khamenei ordered the upkeep of uranium stockpiles
In accordance with Reuters, the directive represents a strong consensus throughout Iran’s authorities management and straight rejects core calls for of the US in ongoing nuclear and peace negotiations with the Trump administration. Iranian officers fear that handing over enriched uranium would put the regime in danger.
“Eradicating the stockpile would make the nation much more weak to future assaults by the US and Israel,” mentioned one senior supply. After repeated assaults by the US and Israel on key nuclear amenities resembling Fordow and Natanz, the Iranian authorities views this materials as essential insurance coverage, a deterrent that can’t be waived with out compromising nationwide safety.
What are the nuclear negotiations and the affect on the crypto market?
The order marks one other main hurdle in fragile U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations. President Trump has publicly acknowledged that Iran should ship the uranium “in some type” whereas preserving navy choices on the desk. Analysts have warned that the transfer might result in a breakdown in negotiations, revive sanctions strain and even set off new threats of assaults on nuclear amenities.
In the meantime, geopolitical shocks are inflicting volatility in cryptocurrencies. Because of the Hormuz danger, the value of Brent crude oil soared above $100 per barrel, triggering a risk-off pattern. Rising oil costs are elevating issues about inflation and decreasing urge for food for danger belongings, which is spurring the decline in cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, X crypto merchants are reporting new downward actions in each spot and perpetual futures, with one noting that “BTC$ and ETH$ are being offered off once more” instantly after the Supreme Chief’s order was damaged.
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