Russia has proposed removing enriched uranium from Iran and communicated the offer to Iranian authorities, the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), though no practical steps have been taken to implement the plan, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said.

The Russian proposal is based on two factors: Iran's desire to maintain its right to enrich uranium on its territory and concerns from Tehran's opponents about Iran possessing uranium enriched beyond levels needed for nuclear power plant fuel.

Russia believes it could reduce regional tensions by taking responsibility for enriching the material and its subsequent commercial realisation, according to the Foreign Ministry.

"Given that it's still unclear how the dialogue will proceed, whether it will proceed at all, and if it does, in what format, we haven't yet reached the specifics of such practical measures," Ryabkov said, Russian daily Kommersant reported on July 11.

The deputy foreign minister said all interested parties approached the proposal with attention and "probably perceived it as reflecting the seriousness of our efforts and intentions in this regard".

At the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously stated that Russia possesses the technological capabilities to process Iran's "excessively enriched" uranium, noting that the processed material could subsequently be returned to Iran's nuclear energy facilities.

Iran has been enriching uranium to levels significantly higher than the 3.67% limit established under the 2015 nuclear deal, which the United States withdrew from in 2018. Tehran has since gradually reduced its compliance with the deal's restrictions.

This latest proposal is a redo of the 2015-era nuclear deal where Russia as part of the agreement with the US and European countries shipped out enriched uranium as part of the wider monitoring activities. That halted when the US under Trump's first presidency withdrew the agreement. 

The proposal comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, with Western powers expressing concern about the Islamic Republic's uranium stockpiles and enrichment activities.

Russia maintains diplomatic relations with Iran whilst also engaging with Western nations on nuclear non-proliferation issues, positioning itself as a potential mediator in regional nuclear disputes.

"All interested parties approached this with attention," Ryabkov said regarding the international response to Russia's uranium removal proposal.

Russia is deeply involved in Iran's nuclear programme helping complete the Bushehr nuclear power plant in 2013 after decades of delay due to war and sanctions. 

Prior to the 12-day hot war with Israel, at least 300 Russian engineers were based at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, however, a significant number of them exited the country during the conflict. 

Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, said Iran had approved legislation suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, describing the agency as "a supporter and servant of the Zionist regime".

Ghalibaf said that continued cooperation with the agency would not be possible until the security of Iran's nuclear facilities was guaranteed.