Putin privately backs ‘zero enrichment’ Iran deal, shifts stance after Israel-Iran war: Report

Russia has historically been Iran’s strongest diplomatic ally in nuclear talks, often pushing back against Western efforts to limit Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.

In a quiet but significant shift, Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed to both Iranian officials and US President Donald Trump that he supports a nuclear deal in which Iran would give up all uranium enrichment, Axios reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.

This position is a notable reversal of Russia’s long-standing public support for Iran’s right to enrich uranium, and comes in the wake of the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities.

According to three European officials and one Israeli official who spoke to Axios, Moscow has privately encouraged Iranian leaders to accept a 'zero enrichment' deal, a key demand of the United States in any future nuclear negotiations.

One senior Israeli official confirmed that Russia even briefed Israel on Putin’s message to Iran, saying, “We know that this is what Putin told the Iranians.”

Putin also relayed the same position to both Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron during recent phone calls, the sources told Axios.

Why this matters

Russia has historically been Iran’s strongest diplomatic ally in nuclear talks, often pushing back against Western efforts to limit Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.

However, Axios reports that Putin’s tone has changed dramatically since the latest escalation between Israel and Iran, during which Iran’s nuclear sites were severely hit by airstrikes, but not fully destroyed.

Despite public posturing, Moscow is now pressing Tehran to accept external control over uranium supply, including having Russia remove Iran’s highly enriched stockpiles and replace them with limited-use nuclear fuel.

Inside the proposed deal

According to Axios, Russia has offered to supply Iran with:

• 3.67 percent enriched uranium for civilian nuclear power
• Small quantities of 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran research reactor and medical isotopes
• The offer reflects a model similar to past nuclear agreements but with much stricter controls on domestic enrichment.

Iran pushes back: No deal without enrichment rights

Despite Russian pressure, Iran has rejected the zero-enrichment idea, Axios reported.

“Putin would support zero enrichment. He encouraged the Iranians to work towards that in order to make negotiations with the Americans more favorable. The Iranians said they won’t consider it,” a European official with direct knowledge of the discussions told Axios.

Frustration growing in Tehran

Iranian officials are said to be disappointed with Russia’s limited support during and after the Israel-Iran conflict. Beyond issuing symbolic press statements, the Kremlin offered no meaningful assistance, a point of tension, especially given Tehran’s military support to Moscow in the Ukraine war, including drones and missiles.

What’s next: US envoy, Iran weigh next steps

According to Axios, White House envoy Steve Witkoff has been in quiet talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to explore a path forward for nuclear negotiations. A possible meeting in Oslo was considered but has since cooled, with both sides now seeking a new venue for talks.