Iran is weighing the option of shipping its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to China as part of ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States. Beijing has reportedly signaled openness to serving as a custodian for the material, though the exact safeguards Washington would demand remain unclear.
The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile at roughly 408.6 kg as of mid-May 2025. That’s enough fissile material for several nuclear devices if enriched further, which explains why getting it out of Iranian hands is a central sticking point in talks.
What’s on the table
The idea of transferring uranium to a third country isn’t new. It has been a recurring theme in US-Iran discussions stretching back years, and it surfaced again when negotiations resumed in April 2025.
What makes this iteration different is the specific partner. China accounts for roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, giving Beijing enormous economic leverage over Tehran.
