MOSCOW May 9, 2026 — Russian President Vladimir Putin stated there is “no proof” that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons, citing a religious fatwa issued by Iranian leaders that explicitly bans them.
In remarks captured in video clips released by state broadcaster RT, Putin declared: “Iran doesn’t have any goals of weaponizing uranium. There’s a fatwa in Iran about that, and there haven’t been any proof of Iran wanting to add nuclear weapons.”
He added that other parties could benefit from a solution, stressing that Russia is ready to help facilitate one.
Putin went on to disclose previously undisclosed details of a Russian diplomatic initiative concerning Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. He revealed that Moscow had offered to take possession of the material — a proposal that initially received agreement from Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The deal ultimately collapsed, Putin said, after the U.S. insisted the uranium be transferred exclusively to American territory rather than Russia.
“We did that once in 2015 and Iran trusting us fully,” Putin recalled, referencing Russia’s long-standing peaceful nuclear cooperation with Iran, including the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. “We completed the construction of Bushehr, which is working and we continue our peaceful efforts there.”
He described former Iranian top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani — who died earlier this year — as “a very constructive person who knew how to listen.” After the U.S. position hardened, Larijani proposed an alternative joint venture in Iran to process the uranium together, Putin noted.
The Russian leader said the current situation has reached a “dead end,” but stressed that Russia’s offer remains “on the table.”
“We can see how much uranium there is and where it is,” Putin explained. “It could all be under control of IAEA and work to dilute this uranium could be organized on supervision by IAEA… We just want to make a contribution in this situation and we will support any solution that will take the situation out of the dead end and will allow it to move towards peaceful settlement. I think compromises are possible here.”
The comments position Russia as a potential mediator capable of overseeing the material under international safeguards, while underscoring Moscow’s view that the standoff can still be resolved peacefully.
The statements come amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. Russia has in recent months publicly floated the idea of taking custody of Tehran’s enriched uranium as a de-escalation step, though Western powers have expressed skepticism about Iran’s intentions and compliance with international oversight.
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