Trump details US options for Iran enriched uranium
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- President Trump outlined two disposal options for Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile—immediate U.S. seizure and destruction, or joint in‑place destruction with Iranian coordination—if a peace agreement is signed.
- U.S. policy has long demanded Iran dismantle its nuclear program and relinquish its enriched uranium, a sticking point in Qatar negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Mike Johnson praised the Trump administration’s approach, saying the U.S. will “take care of the nuclear dust” and that reopening the Strait of Hormuz will benefit gas prices and global stability.
- Esmaeil Baqaei of Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the fate of Iran’s nuclear material is not part of the talks, emphasizing that negotiations focus on ending the war.
- Masoud Pezeshkian told Iranian state TV the country is ready to assure the world it is not pursuing a nuclear weapon, framing the program as peaceful.
- U.S. forces struck two Iranian nuclear facilities—the Ardakan yellowcake plant and the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex—in March, prior to the ceasefire.
- Trump previously floated deploying ground troops to remove Iran’s “nuclear dust” and has repeatedly criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which he dissolved in 2018.
Why it matters: If the U.S. secures control or joint destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium, it would curb Tehran’s nuclear capability and clear a path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, benefiting gas prices and strengthening U.S. regional influence, while Iran would lose a key bargaining chip in any settlement.
