Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Rejects Trump's Demand, Says Uranium ‘Shouldn’t Leave Country’

Key points

• Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Rejects Trump's Demand, Says Uranium ‘Shouldn’t Leave Country’ Published By, Last Updated: May 21, 2026, 17:40 IST Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei rejects sending enriched uranium abroad, deepening tensions with the US as ceasefire doubts and war fears grow.
• Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's latest order may cause a further friction with US President Donald Trump and complicate talks on ending the war.
• (Image: AFP) Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a directive stating that the country’s near-weapons grade uranium will not be sent abroad.
• This is in response to one of the key demands made by the US at peace talks.
• According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, the US had demanded that Tehran hand over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, limit operations to a single nuclear facility and accept that Washington would not pay compensation for war-related damage.