Putin Backs 'Zero-Enrichment' US Nuclear Deal, Iran Denies Receiving Any Message: Report

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 20:46 IST

According to a report by US-based news outlet Axios, Putin has shared this position with both US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly expressed support for a nuclear deal with the United States that would prohibit Iran from enriching uranium on its own soil.

According to a report by US-based news outlet Axios, Putin has shared this position with both US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials on Saturday.

Citing three European officials and one senior Israeli official familiar with the matter, the outlet reported that Moscow has encouraged Tehran to accept the “zero-enrichment" condition.

“We know that this is what Putin told the Iranians," a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying.

Trump has been clear that any new nuclear deal with Iran must include a total ban on uranium enrichment inside the country. If talks resume in the coming weeks, this is expected to be one of the key demands from the US side.

Iran Denies Claims

However, shortly after the report surfaced, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency strongly denied it. Citing an “informed source", the agency said that Iran had received no message from Russian President regarding a zero-enrichment deal with the United States.

The source also said that no such message was delivered during Putin’s most recent meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They stressed that no communication mentioning zero enrichment had been passed between Iran and Russia following that meeting either.

While Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and maintains friendly ties with Iran, it has long called for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the ongoing dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran Open To Resume Nuclear Talks

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Tehran remains open to resuming nuclear talks with the US — but only if firm guarantees are given that no further attacks will take place against Iran. His comments were reported by state media.

Araghchi referred to the recent 12-day bombardment by Israel and a US airstrike on June 22, saying such actions had seriously damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities and complicated any chances for diplomacy. He added that if negotiations are to continue, there must be a strong commitment from the US and others that similar attacks will not happen again.

As a result of the strikes, Iran has suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, forcing inspectors to leave the country. Araghchi stated that under Iranian law, future cooperation with the agency would be decided case by case, based on national interests.

He also made it clear that Iran will continue to enrich uranium on its own soil — a stance that directly opposes US demands. While Washington says this cannot be allowed, Tehran sees enrichment as a national right and a vital part of its peaceful nuclear programme.

(With inputs from agencies)

Moscow, Russia

News world Putin Backs 'Zero-Enrichment' US Nuclear Deal, Iran Denies Receiving Any Message: Report