Iran Signals It May Transfer Enriched Uranium to Pakistan, Saudi Report Says

Saudi channel Al Arabiya reported this evening (Sunday) that Iran has, in principle, agreed to a request to hand over its enriched uranium to a third party. However, the Iranians said that if they do so, it would be transferred only to its ally, Pakistan. At this stage, the report has not been confirmed by any official source or additional media outlet. It should be noted that the U.S. has said several times over the past week that the uranium would be transferred only into its custody.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear whether talks between Iran and the U.S. will resume in two days. An American delegation led by Steve Witkoff will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow. The Iranians, for their part, announced that they are considering not showing up as long as the U.S. does not lift the blockade on Iran’s seaports.

Iran’s Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, said this evening: "The positions of the other side are childish and changeable. Under pressure, they beg for a cease-fire and negotiations, but afterward they take a stubborn approach. Iran will preserve its achievements, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and its management and oversight should be in Iran’s hands. In such a situation, there is no need to wait for the removal of sanctions by the enemies; they will in fact be ineffective."

U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his tone following messages coming from Iran. Ahead of the cease-fire’s expiration on Wednesday, Trump set an ultimatum for Tehran and threatened that the U.S. would "blow up the entire country" if no agreement is signed.

CNN reported that if the Iranians send a delegation to Pakistan, it would be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. In Iran, they expect that on Wednesday a joint and symbolic announcement will be issued on extending the cease-fire. They will also propose that if the talks proceed as planned, and President Trump confirms his arrival in Pakistan, Iran’s president will also come for a historic summit. In that case, the two are expected to sign a joint "Islamabad Declaration" that would formalize understandings between the countries.