Latest Developments

Niger may end counterterrorism cooperation with America over U.S. accusations that Niger’s ruling junta is negotiating a deal to sell uranium to Iran, reported The Wall Street Journal on March 17. The termination of cooperation could lead Niger to follow through on plans to eject U.S. military and civilian personnel from the country. U.S. officials traveled to Niger last week in an attempt to also foreclose Niger’s deepening defense relationship with Russia.

Expert Analysis

“The administration needs to figure out how to block uranium supplies to Iran and cut off Niger’s sensitive relationships with Putin all without losing a critical Africa counterterrorism platform.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“The United States must work to prevent countries from selling mined uranium to Tehran, which would enable the regime’s further stockpiling of enriched uranium. That material’s only true purpose is for nuclear weapons.” — Andrea Stricker, FDD Research Fellow and Deputy Director of FDD’s Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program

Iran May Need Foreign Uranium