Trump demands Iran surrender or destroy enriched uranium as part of any agreement to end the conflict, raising the stakes in already tense negotiations with Tehran. In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said Iran’s enriched uranium, which he described as “nuclear dust,” must either be handed over to the United States for destruction or destroyed inside Iran under supervision.
Trump said the process should take place with the Atomic Energy Commission, or an equivalent body, as a witness. His remarks came as the US military confirmed fresh “self-defense” strikes on Iranian targets in southern Iran, even as a ceasefire remains formally in place.
US Strikes and Iran Talks Continue
US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said American forces targeted missile launch sites and boats that were allegedly attempting to place mines. He said the strikes were carried out to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
No further details were provided about the scale of the strikes or the damage caused. The ceasefire between the two sides, which began on April 8, remains in place, though the latest military action shows how fragile the situation remains.
Key Developments at a Glance
Issue |
Details |
|---|---|
Main demand |
Iran must surrender or destroy enriched uranium |
US position |
No deal unless uranium issue is resolved |
Iran’s position |
Denies seeking nuclear weapons |
US military action |
Strikes in southern Iran |
Targets mentioned |
Missile launch sites and boats allegedly placing mines |
Ceasefire status |
Began April 8 and remains in place |
Talks location |
Doha |
Wider demand |
More countries joining Abraham Accords |
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Iran’s Enriched Uranium Becomes the Core Issue
Iran has repeatedly denied that it is trying to build a nuclear weapon. However, its enriched uranium stockpile remains a major concern for the United States, Israel, and nuclear watchdogs.
Enriched uranium is sensitive because higher enrichment levels can shorten the technical pathway toward weapons-grade material if a country chooses to move in that direction. Trump has made clear that any final agreement must prevent Iran from using its nuclear program for military purposes.
Key points include:
- Uranium demand: Trump wants Iran’s enriched uranium transferred to the US or destroyed under supervision.
- Supervised destruction: The US wants a recognized authority to witness the process.
- Iran denial: Tehran says its nuclear program is not for weapons.
- Deal condition: Trump warned there will be “a Great Deal” or “no Deal at all.”
- Regional talks: Iranian officials are in Doha for mediation discussions.
- Abraham Accords link: Trump also wants more countries to join the US-backed normalization framework with Israel.
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Abraham Accords Added to the Negotiation Push
Trump also said any final agreement should include more countries joining the Abraham Accords, the US-backed framework for normalizing relations with Israel. He named Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan among the countries he believes should be part of the framework.
Some of these countries already recognize Israel, while others have linked normalization to the Palestinian statehood issue. This makes the demand politically sensitive and adds another layer to already complex negotiations.
Overall, Trump demands that Iran surrender or destroy enriched uranium at a critical moment. With fresh US strikes, ongoing Doha talks, and wider regional demands now tied to diplomacy, the path to a deal remains uncertain and highly fragile.
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