Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami stated on October 8, 2026, that Tehran will under no circumstances abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its enriched uranium stockpile, describing such steps as incompatible with its nuclear rights under the NPT. IAEA inspectors have had no access to key sites or material since US-Israeli strikes in 2025–2026, leaving the agency unable to verify the status or location of roughly 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent. A June 2026 US-Iran memorandum of understanding that outlined on-site downblending under IAEA supervision expired without a final deal, and new US sanctions followed in early October. Iran continues to reject physical surrender or export of the material while facing referral to the UN Security Council for safeguards violations. These positions and verification gaps form the core constraints on near-term diplomatic resolution.