Former President Donald Trump stated in a recent phone interview that Iran has “agreed to everything,” including working jointly with the U.S. to remove its enriched uranium stockpile. He emphasized that this operation would not involve U.S. ground troops, saying the uranium would be retrieved “with them,” referring to Iranian cooperation, and brought to the United States.
Trump asserted that the two sides are continuing negotiations and planned to meet over the upcoming weekend to finalize the deal. He also claimed Iran agreed to cease backing proxy terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite reports suggesting the U.S. might release $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of the deal, Trump denied any payment was involved, stating, “No, we are not paying 10 cents.”
However, Iran’s foreign ministry quickly contradicted Trump’s account, issuing a statement that its enriched uranium “is as sacred to us as Iranian soil and will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances.” The ministry added that transferring uranium to the United States “has not been an option.”
Trump indicated that the U.S. blockade against Iran would remain in place until the agreement is fully implemented. He described a collaborative effort between U.S. and Iranian personnel to secure the nuclear material, presenting the possible deal as a preferable alternative to military conflict.
Why it matters
The negotiations over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile are critical to efforts aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The potential removal of uranium under international monitoring could significantly limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities, reducing tensions in a region marked by geopolitical instability. However, conflicting statements from U.S. and Iranian officials highlight ongoing challenges and uncertainties in reaching a mutually acceptable deal.
Background
Iran’s nuclear program has long been a source of international concern, with previous agreements such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aiming to restrict Tehran’s ability to enrich uranium. The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, reinstating sanctions and increasing pressure on Iran. The current discussions reflect continuing efforts to renew some form of nuclear agreement amid fluctuating diplomatic relations.
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