US Begins Withdrawal From Niger Amid Reports Iran Buying 300 Tons Of Uranium From Niger (Full Report)

French media reported that the uranium Tehran was negotiating to purchase from Niger belonged to the French company Orano.

NIGER - U.S. forces have begun withdrawing from Niger, Africa after being ordered out of the country by its Junta leadership amid reports that Iran and Niger have secretly agreed on a $56 million deal to sell Tehran 300 tons of refined yellowcake uranium to be used for its nuclear weapons program in exchange for surface-to-air missiles and drones, allegations that although have been widely reported, have been denied by Niger's Junta government.

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Regarding the troop withdrawal from Niger, U.S. Africa Command released a statement that said, "The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Niger has progressed from initial preparations to redeployment.

This significant transition began with the departure of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024."

Russian forces have been moving into the country as U.S. forces move out, with Russian troops even moving into Air Base 101 housing U.S. forces at the same time, though Russian and American troops were not mingling with U.S. forces, but stationed in separate wings of the base.

In March a Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing Posture of the United States Central Command and United States Africa Command statement said, “Violent extremist organizations have expanded across the region and are now threatening to push down into the lateral states IN the Gulf of Guinea. Partner nations are working hard to address these challenges, and AFRICOM is working in collaboration with many security forces in the region to enhance their capabilities to respond effectively.

At the same time, military coups in places like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have required the cessation of U.S. training and advising in those countries.”

It also said, “AFRICOM remains an important theater in the United States strategic competition with China and Russia. Many African countries have longstanding military ties with Russia and even deeper economic ties with China.

As the United States manages relationships across the continent, we must be mindful of these preexisting ties and avoid taking a with us or against us approach, or we will risk alienating the very nations we seek to engage with.

I would welcome your thoughts on how best to calibrate the U.S. approach to the region in light of these factors. Over the past year, the security situation in West Africa has continued to decline.”

Talks Between Niger's Junta And Tehran Regarding The Delivery Of Yellowcake Uranium, Troop Withdrawal