Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark demand to Iran, saying the country must either hand over its enriched uranium to the United States or allow it to be destroyed as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between the two sides.
Trump’s remarks highlight one of the most contentious issues in the US-Iran negotiations, where Washington continues to insist that Iran’s uranium enrichment programme must be fully addressed before any lasting agreement can be reached. The former president stressed that Iran would not be allowed to retain enriched uranium if it wants to move toward ending hostilities with the United States.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday night (25 May US time), Trump outlined what he described as a clear requirement for any potential agreement.
“Enriched uranium (nuclear dust!) will be immediately handed over to the United States for removal and destruction, or preferably destroyed on site, or at another agreed location, in cooperation and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the Atomic Energy Commission or an equivalent body acting as witness to the process and events,” Trump wrote.
His statement comes as nuclear-related disputes remain a central obstacle in diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions between Washington and Tehran, following the outbreak of conflict on 28 February. While negotiations have continued intermittently, both sides remain divided over the scope and sequencing of any agreement.
The United States has insisted that any deal must include strict limitations or a full halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, which Washington views as a potential pathway toward nuclear weapons development. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for civilian energy purposes and continues to reject any immediate inclusion of enrichment restrictions in the first phase of talks.
Instead, Iranian officials have focused on broader issues such as the cessation of hostilities and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains a strategic point of contention in regional tensions. Tehran has argued that nuclear issues should be addressed separately from ceasefire discussions.
The dispute over uranium enrichment has long been a central flashpoint in US-Iran relations, even before the current conflict escalated in February. Successive US administrations have sought to limit or dismantle Iran’s enrichment capabilities, while Tehran has consistently defended its right to maintain a domestic nuclear programme under international supervision.
Recent reports suggest that Iran may be willing to consider restrictions or even suspension of enrichment under certain conditions, reflecting a possible shift amid renewed diplomatic pressure and speculation about an eventual peace framework between Tehran and Washington.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently possesses approximately 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, a level significantly higher than what is typically required for civilian energy production. The stockpile has raised concerns among Western governments monitoring the potential for further escalation.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have indicated that the issue of enriched uranium stockpiles has become a core component of the evolving draft agreement between the two countries. In updated proposals, Tehran has reportedly expressed willingness to commit to surrendering high-level enriched uranium reserves under specific conditions.
However, according to reporting by The New York Times, US officials acknowledge that key technical questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how Iran’s uranium stockpile would be transferred, secured, or destroyed. These details are expected to be discussed in the next round of negotiations focused on Iran’s nuclear programme.
At earlier stages of the talks, the United States had reportedly pushed for a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, while Iran countered with a significantly shorter suspension period. The gap between the two positions has been one of the major barriers to progress.
Despite these disagreements, even limited indications that Iran could consider relinquishing highly enriched uranium have been viewed as an important development in the broader diplomatic process. Such a concession could help shape a framework agreement capable of gaining support in the US Congress, where skepticism among Republican lawmakers remains strong.
Iran had initially resisted including discussions on its enriched uranium stockpile in the early stages of negotiations, insisting that such issues be deferred to later phases of dialogue. However, US negotiators are said to have warned through intermediaries that Washington could abandon talks and resume military pressure if no agreement is reached on the uranium issue.
The warning reflects the high-stakes nature of the negotiations, where both sides are attempting to balance diplomatic engagement with strategic leverage. For Washington, limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains a core objective, while Tehran continues to frame its nuclear programme as a sovereign right.
As negotiations continue, uncertainty remains over whether a compromise can be reached on the most sensitive elements of the deal, particularly the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the broader limits of its nuclear programme.
For now, Trump’s latest remarks underscore the continued pressure from Washington for a decisive outcome, with uranium enrichment remaining at the centre of one of the most complex geopolitical disputes in the world.
