Russia Backs US Nuclear Plan as Iran Rejects Knowledge of Proposal: Report

Putin Reportedly Backs US ‘Zero-Enrichment’ Plan for Iran; Tehran Denies Receiving Proposal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly expressed support for a U.S.-led proposal that would bar Iran from enriching uranium on its own territory—a key American demand in any future nuclear agreement. However, Iran has firmly denied receiving any such communication from Moscow.

According to a report by U.S. outlet Axios, Putin conveyed this position to both U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials during recent diplomatic exchanges. The report, citing three European officials and one senior Israeli official, said Russia has been privately urging Tehran to accept a “zero-enrichment” clause as a foundation for restarting nuclear negotiations.

“We know that this is what Putin told the Iranians,” a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying.

The U.S. has made it clear that any new deal must include a total ban on uranium enrichment within Iran—one of the most contentious issues in past nuclear talks.

Tehran Pushes Back
Shortly after the report emerged, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency denied the claims, citing an unnamed “informed source.” The source said no message regarding a zero-enrichment proposal had been conveyed during Putin’s recent meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, nor through any follow-up diplomatic channel.

“There has been no communication from the Russian side indicating support for a U.S. proposal of this nature,” the source added.

Although Russia maintains close ties with Iran and is a key player in the UN Security Council, it has traditionally advocated for diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff.

Iran Sets Conditions for Resuming Talks
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s willingness to return to the negotiating table, but only under specific conditions. Speaking to state media, he said talks could resume if firm assurances were provided that no further military strikes would be launched against Iranian assets.

Araghchi pointed to the recent Israeli airstrikes and a June 22 U.S. attack, which he claimed damaged nuclear facilities and further eroded trust. As a result, Iran has suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and UN inspectors have been ordered to leave the country.

Future engagement with the IAEA, Araghchi added, will now depend on national interests and be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Importantly, he reaffirmed that Iran would continue enriching uranium domestically—a direct rejection of Washington’s “zero-enrichment” demand. “Uranium enrichment is a sovereign right and central to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program,” he said.