Iran has firmly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's insistence on the export of 300 kilograms of 60% highly enriched uranium as part of negotiations over its nuclear program. Instead of complying with this key American requirement, Iran is reportedly ready to propose a plan to dilute its stockpile of the enriched uranium to below 20% under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight. This proposal is expected to form a significant part of Iran's counter-proposal in ongoing nuclear negotiations, with analysts suggesting it may serve as a litmus test for whether the extensive U.S. military presence in the Middle East will be deployed for actual strikes.

Iranian officials have emphasized their commitment to their sovereignty by reiterating their stance that nuclear materials will not be exported. They have drawn clear lines that options such as transferring uranium to Russia or engagement with overseas consortia are not on the negotiation table. In contrast, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi highlighted in a recent MSNBC interview that the U.S. has not demanded an indefinite halt to uranium enrichment, refuting some Western reports that suggested they had proposed a temporary moratorium on enrichment activities. He outlined that the focus of negotiations pertains more to acceptable enrichment levels and the number of operational centrifuges.

On the other hand, the U.S. maintains a firm stance that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, let alone its capacity for nuclear weapon development and uranium enrichment. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz pointedly articulated a goal of "zero enrichment," suggesting an unwavering American commitment to preventing Iran from furthering its nuclear aspirations. In summary, while Iran seeks to maintain its nuclear program under certain conditions, the U.S. continues to demand significant constraints as negotiations unfold.