Politics · Tehran, Iran · October 20, 2026

Iran says ties with Russia closer than ever and rejects moving uranium abroad

Reported by 5 outlets · first reported Oct 20, 1:00 AM ET

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Russia and Iran have "never" worked so closely after hosting Sergey Lavrov in Tehran. Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei told visiting Pakistani army chief Asim Munir that no enriched uranium would leave the country. Officials cited by the Japan Times said Tehran is prolonging talks with Washington.

Why it matters

Iran's position on its enriched uranium is a central obstacle to ending the conflict with the US.

Background

The US and Iran have been in conflict this year, with talks on ending the fighting stalled. Russia and Iran are both under Western sanctions and have deepened military and economic cooperation.

The story so far

1. Oct 17Zelensky turns to Europe as ties with Washington sour
2. Oct 20Iran says ties with Russia closer than ever and rejects moving uranium abroad
3. Oct 21Iran rejects moving enriched uranium abroad as US adds sanctions

Follow the whole story →

Sources

• The Hindu ↗Oct 20, 1:00 AM ET
• Middle East Eye ↗Oct 20, 1:33 PM ET
• Al Jazeera ↗Oct 20, 12:01 PM ET

This summary was written automatically from the reporting linked above; follow the sources for the full story. How One Turn works.

See it on the globe →All of Oct 20's stories