Iranian uranium and China: deal or game of leaks

Iran found himself at the center of a new wave of reports about a possible nuclear deal with USA. According to Al ArabiyaTehran allegedly offered to transfer reserves of highly enriched uranium China as part of a future agreement with Washington.

We are talking about the main controversial point of the negotiations: what to do with Iranian uranium. USA require that Iran lost its stockpile of highly enriched material or removed it from its control before any significant easing of sanctions.

According to version Al ArabiyaTehran is considering the option of transferring uranium China and wants to receive guarantees from Beijing before concluding a possible deal with the American side. Such a scheme would allow Iran not to formally transfer the material to the United States or its allies, but to remove it from Tehran’s direct access.

However, this version has not yet been confirmed. Moreover, the Iranian side denies it. Reuters, citing a senior Iranian source, reports that Iran did not agree to transfer its reserves of highly enriched uranium abroadand the nuclear issue is not included in the current preliminary package of agreements.

Leaks and denials

Previously The Wall Street Journal wrote that Iran allegedly offered to dilute part of the uranium and send the rest to a third country. Parastatal agency Tasnim this message was denied.

As a result, the usual diplomatic game is going on around the deal: some sources talk about an almost ready compromise, others deny everything. Each side checks the reaction of the enemy, allies and its own audience. It’s very convenient: it seems like no one has signed anything, but everyone is already bargaining.

For Donald Trump the uranium issue is key. Without removal, destruction or strict international control over stockpiles, any deal will look like a concession to Tehran. For Iran the transfer of uranium abroad, on the contrary, looks like a symbolic surrender.

Why does China appear in the scheme?

If option with China really discussed, the logic is clear. Beijing maintains relations with Tehran, has weight in the global energy sector and can act as a convenient mediator. For Iran, transferring uranium to China would be less humiliating than transferring the material to the United States or its allies.

But for Washington, such a scheme is risky. The United States must receive guarantees that the uranium will not return to Iran and will be under full international control. This is where slogans begin, but the boring, but the main part of the deal: where to store, who checks, who is responsible and what will happen in case of violation.

There is no confirmed agreement yet. There are leaks, denials and haggling over the most sensitive element of Iran’s nuclear program. The version of the transfer of uranium to China can be considered as a possible negotiation scenario, but not as a completed decision.

The main conclusion is simple: USA demand that uranium be removed from Tehran’s control, Iran publicly denies this, and China may become a convenient figure in a future deal. If, of course, the parties come to an agreement at all, and do not limit themselves to another exchange of leaks for the press.

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