Trump: Iran's enriched uranium to be handed over to US for disposal

Highly enriched uranium (nuclear dust) will be immediately handed over to the United States for repatriation and destruction, or preferably destroyed on-site or at a suitable location with the coordination and consent of Iran, under the observation of the Atomic Energy Commission or equivalent body," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on May 25.

Last week, Trump told reporters at the White House that the US would not back down on seizing Iran's enriched uranium reserves. However, the new post suggests Washington is willing to involve Tehran in the process of handling the nuclear material.

Iran has not yet responded to this information.

US officials began using the slogan "No uranium dust, no money," referring to the reserve of over 400 kg of highly enriched uranium that must be processed before Iran receives financial benefits from the proposed agreement to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran stated that the two sides have reached consensus on many issues during exchanges surrounding the ceasefire agreement. However, details related to Iran's nuclear program are not part of the current phase and will only be discussed after the two sides agree on a general framework.

According to US media, the initial agreement will focus on extending the current ceasefire by 60 days and resuming maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

The core issue of Iran's nuclear activities will be set aside, and Tehran will not be required to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile abroad. The plan is also said to include a ceasefire in the current conflict between Israel and the armed group Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran in Lebanon, but without a requirement for the group's disarmament.

Iran's enriched uranium is believed to be close to the threshold required for nuclear weapons development. Israeli officials stated that this amount of uranium is sufficient to produce 11 nuclear bombs if further enriched. This is also the issue the US is most focused on in any potential agreement with Iran.

Tehran has repeatedly affirmed that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons development, although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes Iran's uranium enrichment levels have exceeded the limits for civilian applications.

President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 24 continued to affirm that Iran is ready to assure the world that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons or seeking instability.