Tensions in U.S.-Iran negotiations escalated as Iranian officials forcefully rejected President Donald Trump’s recent assertions that Tehran has agreed to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium. Iranian leaders described the claims as false, baseless, and part of a pattern of misinformation.
What Trump Said
President Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran has agreed to surrender its highly enriched uranium — which he often refers to as “nuclear dust.” In recent remarks, he claimed Iran had “agreed to almost everything,” including turning over the material and suspending its nuclear program. He suggested the U.S. would work with Iran to recover buried uranium from damaged sites and bring it under American control, with no money exchanging hands.
Iran’s Strong Rebuttal
Iranian officials have pushed back sharply:
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei called Trump’s claims “false and baseless.”
Sources close to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated explicitly: “No form of nuclear material transfer to America has been negotiated.” One source labeled it “another lie,” adding that no major progress has been made in talks.
Speaker Ghalibaf himself asserted that “all seven claims” made by Trump in a recent hour-long period were false, accusing the U.S. of “media warfare.”
Iran has consistently maintained that its enriched uranium will not be transferred abroad and that any negotiations must respect its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment.
Current Status of Iran’s Uranium Stockpile
Iran holds significant quantities of uranium enriched up to 60% (near-weapons-grade).
Much of the material is at or near facilities damaged in previous U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Tehran insists the program remains for civilian purposes and has ruled out exporting the stockpile.
Broader Context
The dispute comes amid ongoing ceasefire talks and efforts to reach a longer-term nuclear agreement. Reports of a possible $20 billion sanctions relief package in exchange for uranium concessions have circulated, but Iran denies agreeing to any such terms. Both sides continue indirect negotiations, with significant gaps remaining on enrichment limits, verification, and sanctions relief.
Iran has categorically denied Trump’s claims of a uranium handover agreement, labeling them lies. The standoff highlights deep mistrust as diplomats try to bridge the gap between U.S. demands for complete denuclearization steps and Iran’s insistence on preserving its nuclear rights.
