Trump Reveals Bold Plan: US to Collaborate with Iran to Dismantle Uranium Stockpile if Historic Deal is Reached
President Donald Trump stated that the United States will collaborate with Iran to retrieve and destroy its highly enriched uranium, provided that he is successful in negotiating a deal with Tehran to bring an end to the three-month-old conflict between the two countries, or alternatively, if no agreement is reached, he will take measures to further weaken the Iranian military to the point where American forces can safely retrieve the material on their own without any assistance.
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In a recent statement, a deal was proposed, with the notion that if an agreement is reached and all parties become friendly, then a collective effort will be made to proceed together.
As part of this arrangement, it has been suggested that the equipment in question will be managed collectively, and a decision will be made regarding the most effective method for its disposal, with options including destroying it on-site or removing it to an off-site location for destruction.
This information was revealed by Trump during an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," in which he provided further insight into the proposed plan, stating, “If we make a deal that now we’re friendly, we’ll all go together, it’ll be our equipment, we’ll take it out and destroy it, whether it’s on-site or whether we take it off-site
And we will proceed with them, or we will proceed without them, as the situation demands, Trump stated. But we will not tolerate having people firing at us, and that is a crucial point to emphasize, Trump clarified. Now, if we are unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, then we will be forced to take decisive military action against them, and we will do so with great severity. And we will wait until we have completed that military operation before we proceed, in which case we will have ensured our safety, regardless of the outcome, Trump explained.
Trump also emphasized that the U.S. has the capability to closely monitor the activity in question, primarily due to the fact that it possesses advanced surveillance technology, including "cameras up in space", which have been successfully deployed thanks to the initiatives undertaken by his Space Force.
It is worth noting that the area in question is thoroughly monitored, with cameras covering every aspect of it, as he explained to Kristen Welker, the moderator of "Meet the Press". He further emphasized that if an individual were to walk in that area, the cameras would be capable of capturing even the smallest details, such as the first name printed on their lapel, which is a testament to the remarkable technology being utilized. Additionally, he highlighted the impressive nature of this technology, pointing out that these cameras are actually positioned in space, which is a truly astonishing feat.
In the most detailed comments he has made so far regarding the current state of negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict, as well as his overall strategy for potentially securing a deal, Trump stated that he intends to maintain the presence of U.S. troops in the region until the situation has reached its "completion", and he also mentioned that, in his opinion, the
According to Trump, the two sides are presently "very close" to finalizing and signing a pact, although he is continuing to exert pressure on Iran to make even greater concessions and take more significant steps in abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Trump elaborated on the current state of negotiations, stating, "We have a couple of points that still need to be addressed, and to be honest, they don't even seem like big points when you consider the overall scope of the agreement."
He further explained, "The Iranian side has essentially conceded the fact that they will not possess nuclear weapons, which is a crucial development," and added, "We had included a specific clause in the proposed agreement that explicitly stated they would not develop nuclear weapons, and this provision was generally well-received by all parties involved, with the exception of myself."
Trump stated that he wanted to include an additional provision in order to guarantee that Iran would not be able to circumvent the terms of a potential deal.
He explained that he had raised a specific concern, saying, “And I said, ‘Well, what happens if they, not develop, but they go out and purchase, they acquire something?’”
He further emphasized his point by saying, “I want to put the word, ‘if they buy, purchase or acquire,’” in the agreement, in order to cover all possible scenarios.
Trump also noted that it is essential to include this specific language, because purchasing or acquiring something is distinct from developing it, and he wanted to ensure that the agreement would account for both possibilities.
As he put it, “You know, you’ve got to have that in there, too, because that’s not developing,” in order to prevent any potential loopholes.
Therefore, Trump's goal
He also mentioned that the Iranians initially resisted his demand, but only to a limited extent, stating that they pushed back "a little bit" on his requirement, and then they ultimately ceased their resistance.
President Trump stated that he perceives Iran's new leadership as being "more rational, very smart" in their approach, particularly following the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States that resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as many of his high-ranking officials and lieutenants.
The former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has succeeded his father and now holds a position that is "part of" the approval process for a potential deal, according to President Trump, who also expressed his willingness to engage in direct negotiations with the newly appointed supreme leader.
Trump stated that he would be willing to do so if that is what he would like, but he clarified that he has not had a direct conversation with him.
The president made a favorable comparison between Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of the public eye since the commencement of the war, and his father, highlighting their respective characteristics in a positive light.
Trump expressed his thoughts by stating, "Younger, I think more rational," which was his assessment of the situation. The individual in question was "Injured, he's pretty badly injured," Trump noted, highlighting the severity of the situation. According to Trump, there is a certain level of bravery exhibited by this person, as "a lot of people, if they were injured that badly, they wouldn't be talking about, you know, 'How are we doing with the United States,'" and instead, they would likely be preoccupied with other concerns. Trump reiterated, "So there's a certain bravery there," emphasizing his point. Furthermore, Trump emphasized that the individual "is very seriously injured," underscoring the extent of the harm inflicted. When asked, Trump declined to provide a definitive answer regarding whether he possesses knowledge of the Iranian leader's exact location or if that location is situated within Iran.
When questioned about his knowledge of the individual's whereabouts, Trump stated, "I don’t want to say whether or not I know where he is," and then proceeded to add, "But there’s a good probability that I do," thereby leaving the matter open to interpretation.
The interview took place in a rural setting, specifically a barn that had a metal roof, and it occurred prior to Trump's participation in a roundtable discussion that was focused on the farming industry, a sector that is crucial to the economy. A severe rainstorm was pounding against the metal roof of the barn, causing repeated delays in the interview, while a technical glitch led to another interruption, further complicating the proceedings. Trump brought the interview to a close approximately 50 minutes after he had initially sat down, at which point he had become visibly frustrated due to a heated back-and-forth exchange regarding election interference and his criticism of the press, issues that have been a
The ongoing war has been met with significant disapproval, as numerous polls have consistently demonstrated that a majority of the public is opposed to it. According to a recent Economist/YouGov survey, a substantial sixty-eight percent of adults expressed the opinion that the U.S. "should make a deal to end the war in Iran as quickly as possible", a sentiment that was shared by fifty-five percent of voters who had favored Trump in the 2024 election, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction with the current situation. During his campaign in 2024, Trump had emphasized that he had not initiated "no new wars" during his first term, a point that he had repeatedly stressed.
In a recent interview, the president appeared to suggest that Americans should exhibit more patience and understanding in their approach to Iran, while also acknowledging that one of the major challenges in devising and implementing a swift peace plan is the need for a complete reversal of Tehran's long-standing stance and
He stated that the Iranians are strong and proud, which are key characteristics of theirs. The Iranians are going to have to undertake certain actions that they never thought they would be doing, and they have no other option but to do so, as he further explained. This process is not instantaneous, and it is essential to consider the fact that they have been able to act with impunity for 47 years, which is a significant period of time.
According to Trump, the responsibility for Iran's development of a nuclear weapons program lies with his predecessors. Trump attributed the development of Iran's nuclear weapons program to the actions, or lack thereof, of previous administrations. During the presidency of Barack Obama, a negotiating team comprising six nations reached an agreement with Iran, in which Iran agreed to limit its development of nuclear weapons in exchange for a relaxation of international sanctions, thereby releasing frozen Iranian funds. The parties involved in this agreement included China and Russia, and the terms
Trump, who had previously terminated that agreement during his initial term in office, stated that any newly negotiated agreement with Iran would not result in the immediate unfreezing of its assets.
This action, Trump explained, would occur at a later stage, as he clarified that it "comes after" other developments.
As Trump further elaborated, "Yeah, if they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking," indicating that Iran's compliance and good behavior would be a prerequisite for any potential discussions.
He also criticized his predecessor, Obama, for having delivered cash to Iran, which was reportedly a reimbursement for a previously agreed-upon but never-completed arms sale, and this transaction took place shortly after the original nuclear deal had been formally signed.
The $400 million shipment constituted a relatively small portion of the overall financial gain that Iran experienced as a result of having its assets unfrozen. During his presidential campaign, Trump had made a promise to replace the agreement established by Obama with a new pact that would offer more favorable terms for the United States during his first term in office, but in a recent interview, he expressed that he does not have any regrets about not fulfilling this promise at that particular time.
According to his statement, the other parties involved were not adequately prepared to engage in a new agreement, as he explained by saying, “They weren’t ready,” and he further emphasized his perspective by adding, “No, this is much better,” which suggests that he believes the current circumstances are more advantageous.
Welker pressed Trump on the reasoning behind his decision not to negotiate a new agreement with Iran at that particular time, with Trump suggesting that such complex deals often require a significant amount of time, potentially spanning "years."
Trump emphasized that the process of negotiating these types of agreements is typically a lengthy one, stating, "It takes years to do these things."
He further elaborated on the historical context of the conflict, noting that the parties involved have been engaged in fighting for an extended period of 47 years, during which time they have been responsible for the deaths of Americans, and have also been inflicting severe injuries, including the loss of limbs and severe facial damage, resulting in devastating harm to many individuals.
At present, Trump stated that he does not intend to withdraw U.S. troops, despite the fact that a temporary ceasefire is in place, which is both fragile and frequently violated, and even though he evaluates that Iran's defensive and offensive capabilities have been significantly degraded.
He expressed, "Look, we have completely destroyed their military," and further emphasized that they have retained some missiles and some drones. Additionally, he mentioned that, in his opinion, Iran is now left with only a limited portion of its prewar missile stockpile, which he estimated to be around "21%, 22%" of what they originally had.
However, this does not necessarily imply that the 50,000 U.S. troops who are currently deployed to the region will be returning home in the near future.
According to Trump, maintaining a military presence in the region is relatively inexpensive, as he stated: "It costs us very little to keep them there." Additionally, Trump later made another statement, in which he said: "I would say it would be foolhardy to do that," and he provided a reason for this assessment, explaining that the troops might still be needed, as he noted: "maybe we may use them" to exert pressure on Iran and potentially influence their stance at the negotiating table.
He expressed his viewpoint by stating that it was improbable, but he believed that they would continue to maintain their presence in that location until the point at which they achieved a completion of their objectives.
He presented the argument that this approach would ultimately have a positive impact on the American economy, which has been adversely affected by the increased prices at gas stations due to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit channel that facilitates the transportation of approximately 20% of the world's oil supply.
According to Trump, the economic costs imposed on Iran are ultimately unsustainable because the country's economy is severely weakened, with Trump noting that they have an economy that is essentially in a state of collapse.
At the same time, Trump highlighted the strength of the U.S. economy, describing the jobs report that was released on the day of the interview as "really strong." However, he also stated that he was compelled to make a difficult decision to confront Iran, which has led to a rise in prices over the past few months as a consequence of this action.
Trump explained that the cost of essential items was previously very low, saying, "Fertilizer was very cheap, and everything else was also very cheap, with gasoline prices being particularly low, and overall, everything was very low." He then added, "I could have maintained these low prices if I had chosen to do so," but instead, he decided to take a different approach. Trump stated, "But I said, I have to take a little bit of a turn and make some changes, and I believe the farmers are going to understand the reasoning behind this decision better than anyone else
Americans can expect to experience a sense of relief once the war has come to an end, he stated.
He expressed that when they have a completion, Trump said, the outcome will be remarkable, and the public will witness things that are unprecedented, adding that the price of oil will subsequently decrease.
The primary concern, however, is that Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, according to Trump. He emphasized that this is an unacceptable outcome, stating that it is something that cannot be done, and he reaffirmed that the necessary steps will be taken to prevent it from happening. Furthermore, Trump's statement was clear and direct, as he declared that allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon is not a viable option, and he assured that it will not be permitted to occur. Jonathan Allen, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in covering national politics, is currently serving as a senior national politics reporter for the news organization NBC News.
To gain unlimited access to a vast array of ad-free articles and exclusive content, consider subscribing to the service.
In a recent statement, a deal was proposed, with the notion that if an agreement is reached and all parties become friendly, then a collective effort will be made to proceed together.
As part of this arrangement, it has been suggested that the equipment in question will be managed collectively, and a decision will be made regarding the most effective method for its disposal, with options including destroying it on-site or removing it to an off-site location for destruction.
This information was revealed by Trump during an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," in which he provided further insight into the proposed plan, stating, “If we make a deal that now we’re friendly, we’ll all go together, it’ll be our equipment, we’ll take it out and destroy it, whether it’s on-site or whether we take it off-site
And we will proceed with them, or we will proceed without them, as the situation demands, Trump stated. But we will not tolerate having people firing at us, and that is a crucial point to emphasize, Trump clarified. Now, if we are unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, then we will be forced to take decisive military action against them, and we will do so with great severity. And we will wait until we have completed that military operation before we proceed, in which case we will have ensured our safety, regardless of the outcome, Trump explained.
Trump also emphasized that the U.S. has the capability to closely monitor the activity in question, primarily due to the fact that it possesses advanced surveillance technology, including "cameras up in space", which have been successfully deployed thanks to the initiatives undertaken by his Space Force.
It is worth noting that the area in question is thoroughly monitored, with cameras covering every aspect of it, as he explained to Kristen Welker, the moderator of "Meet the Press". He further emphasized that if an individual were to walk in that area, the cameras would be capable of capturing even the smallest details, such as the first name printed on their lapel, which is a testament to the remarkable technology being utilized. Additionally, he highlighted the impressive nature of this technology, pointing out that these cameras are actually positioned in space, which is a truly astonishing feat.
In the most detailed comments he has made so far regarding the current state of negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict, as well as his overall strategy for potentially securing a deal, Trump stated that he intends to maintain the presence of U.S. troops in the region until the situation has reached its "completion", and he also mentioned that, in his opinion, the
According to Trump, the two sides are presently "very close" to finalizing and signing a pact, although he is continuing to exert pressure on Iran to make even greater concessions and take more significant steps in abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Trump elaborated on the current state of negotiations, stating, "We have a couple of points that still need to be addressed, and to be honest, they don't even seem like big points when you consider the overall scope of the agreement."
He further explained, "The Iranian side has essentially conceded the fact that they will not possess nuclear weapons, which is a crucial development," and added, "We had included a specific clause in the proposed agreement that explicitly stated they would not develop nuclear weapons, and this provision was generally well-received by all parties involved, with the exception of myself."
Trump stated that he wanted to include an additional provision in order to guarantee that Iran would not be able to circumvent the terms of a potential deal.
He explained that he had raised a specific concern, saying, “And I said, ‘Well, what happens if they, not develop, but they go out and purchase, they acquire something?’”
He further emphasized his point by saying, “I want to put the word, ‘if they buy, purchase or acquire,’” in the agreement, in order to cover all possible scenarios.
Trump also noted that it is essential to include this specific language, because purchasing or acquiring something is distinct from developing it, and he wanted to ensure that the agreement would account for both possibilities.
As he put it, “You know, you’ve got to have that in there, too, because that’s not developing,” in order to prevent any potential loopholes.
Therefore, Trump's goal
He also mentioned that the Iranians initially resisted his demand, but only to a limited extent, stating that they pushed back "a little bit" on his requirement, and then they ultimately ceased their resistance.
President Trump stated that he perceives Iran's new leadership as being "more rational, very smart" in their approach, particularly following the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States that resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as many of his high-ranking officials and lieutenants.
The former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has succeeded his father and now holds a position that is "part of" the approval process for a potential deal, according to President Trump, who also expressed his willingness to engage in direct negotiations with the newly appointed supreme leader.
Trump stated that he would be willing to do so if that is what he would like, but he clarified that he has not had a direct conversation with him.
The president made a favorable comparison between Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of the public eye since the commencement of the war, and his father, highlighting their respective characteristics in a positive light.
Trump expressed his thoughts by stating, "Younger, I think more rational," which was his assessment of the situation. The individual in question was "Injured, he's pretty badly injured," Trump noted, highlighting the severity of the situation. According to Trump, there is a certain level of bravery exhibited by this person, as "a lot of people, if they were injured that badly, they wouldn't be talking about, you know, 'How are we doing with the United States,'" and instead, they would likely be preoccupied with other concerns. Trump reiterated, "So there's a certain bravery there," emphasizing his point. Furthermore, Trump emphasized that the individual "is very seriously injured," underscoring the extent of the harm inflicted. When asked, Trump declined to provide a definitive answer regarding whether he possesses knowledge of the Iranian leader's exact location or if that location is situated within Iran.
When questioned about his knowledge of the individual's whereabouts, Trump stated, "I don’t want to say whether or not I know where he is," and then proceeded to add, "But there’s a good probability that I do," thereby leaving the matter open to interpretation.
The interview took place in a rural setting, specifically a barn that had a metal roof, and it occurred prior to Trump's participation in a roundtable discussion that was focused on the farming industry, a sector that is crucial to the economy. A severe rainstorm was pounding against the metal roof of the barn, causing repeated delays in the interview, while a technical glitch led to another interruption, further complicating the proceedings. Trump brought the interview to a close approximately 50 minutes after he had initially sat down, at which point he had become visibly frustrated due to a heated back-and-forth exchange regarding election interference and his criticism of the press, issues that have been a
The ongoing war has been met with significant disapproval, as numerous polls have consistently demonstrated that a majority of the public is opposed to it. According to a recent Economist/YouGov survey, a substantial sixty-eight percent of adults expressed the opinion that the U.S. "should make a deal to end the war in Iran as quickly as possible", a sentiment that was shared by fifty-five percent of voters who had favored Trump in the 2024 election, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction with the current situation. During his campaign in 2024, Trump had emphasized that he had not initiated "no new wars" during his first term, a point that he had repeatedly stressed.
In a recent interview, the president appeared to suggest that Americans should exhibit more patience and understanding in their approach to Iran, while also acknowledging that one of the major challenges in devising and implementing a swift peace plan is the need for a complete reversal of Tehran's long-standing stance and
He stated that the Iranians are strong and proud, which are key characteristics of theirs. The Iranians are going to have to undertake certain actions that they never thought they would be doing, and they have no other option but to do so, as he further explained. This process is not instantaneous, and it is essential to consider the fact that they have been able to act with impunity for 47 years, which is a significant period of time.
According to Trump, the responsibility for Iran's development of a nuclear weapons program lies with his predecessors. Trump attributed the development of Iran's nuclear weapons program to the actions, or lack thereof, of previous administrations. During the presidency of Barack Obama, a negotiating team comprising six nations reached an agreement with Iran, in which Iran agreed to limit its development of nuclear weapons in exchange for a relaxation of international sanctions, thereby releasing frozen Iranian funds. The parties involved in this agreement included China and Russia, and the terms
Trump, who had previously terminated that agreement during his initial term in office, stated that any newly negotiated agreement with Iran would not result in the immediate unfreezing of its assets.
This action, Trump explained, would occur at a later stage, as he clarified that it "comes after" other developments.
As Trump further elaborated, "Yeah, if they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking," indicating that Iran's compliance and good behavior would be a prerequisite for any potential discussions.
He also criticized his predecessor, Obama, for having delivered cash to Iran, which was reportedly a reimbursement for a previously agreed-upon but never-completed arms sale, and this transaction took place shortly after the original nuclear deal had been formally signed.
The $400 million shipment constituted a relatively small portion of the overall financial gain that Iran experienced as a result of having its assets unfrozen. During his presidential campaign, Trump had made a promise to replace the agreement established by Obama with a new pact that would offer more favorable terms for the United States during his first term in office, but in a recent interview, he expressed that he does not have any regrets about not fulfilling this promise at that particular time.
According to his statement, the other parties involved were not adequately prepared to engage in a new agreement, as he explained by saying, “They weren’t ready,” and he further emphasized his perspective by adding, “No, this is much better,” which suggests that he believes the current circumstances are more advantageous.
Welker pressed Trump on the reasoning behind his decision not to negotiate a new agreement with Iran at that particular time, with Trump suggesting that such complex deals often require a significant amount of time, potentially spanning "years."
Trump emphasized that the process of negotiating these types of agreements is typically a lengthy one, stating, "It takes years to do these things."
He further elaborated on the historical context of the conflict, noting that the parties involved have been engaged in fighting for an extended period of 47 years, during which time they have been responsible for the deaths of Americans, and have also been inflicting severe injuries, including the loss of limbs and severe facial damage, resulting in devastating harm to many individuals.
At present, Trump stated that he does not intend to withdraw U.S. troops, despite the fact that a temporary ceasefire is in place, which is both fragile and frequently violated, and even though he evaluates that Iran's defensive and offensive capabilities have been significantly degraded.
He expressed, "Look, we have completely destroyed their military," and further emphasized that they have retained some missiles and some drones. Additionally, he mentioned that, in his opinion, Iran is now left with only a limited portion of its prewar missile stockpile, which he estimated to be around "21%, 22%" of what they originally had.
However, this does not necessarily imply that the 50,000 U.S. troops who are currently deployed to the region will be returning home in the near future.
According to Trump, maintaining a military presence in the region is relatively inexpensive, as he stated: "It costs us very little to keep them there." Additionally, Trump later made another statement, in which he said: "I would say it would be foolhardy to do that," and he provided a reason for this assessment, explaining that the troops might still be needed, as he noted: "maybe we may use them" to exert pressure on Iran and potentially influence their stance at the negotiating table.
He expressed his viewpoint by stating that it was improbable, but he believed that they would continue to maintain their presence in that location until the point at which they achieved a completion of their objectives.
He presented the argument that this approach would ultimately have a positive impact on the American economy, which has been adversely affected by the increased prices at gas stations due to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit channel that facilitates the transportation of approximately 20% of the world's oil supply.
According to Trump, the economic costs imposed on Iran are ultimately unsustainable because the country's economy is severely weakened, with Trump noting that they have an economy that is essentially in a state of collapse.
At the same time, Trump highlighted the strength of the U.S. economy, describing the jobs report that was released on the day of the interview as "really strong." However, he also stated that he was compelled to make a difficult decision to confront Iran, which has led to a rise in prices over the past few months as a consequence of this action.
Trump explained that the cost of essential items was previously very low, saying, "Fertilizer was very cheap, and everything else was also very cheap, with gasoline prices being particularly low, and overall, everything was very low." He then added, "I could have maintained these low prices if I had chosen to do so," but instead, he decided to take a different approach. Trump stated, "But I said, I have to take a little bit of a turn and make some changes, and I believe the farmers are going to understand the reasoning behind this decision better than anyone else
Americans can expect to experience a sense of relief once the war has come to an end, he stated.
He expressed that when they have a completion, Trump said, the outcome will be remarkable, and the public will witness things that are unprecedented, adding that the price of oil will subsequently decrease.
The primary concern, however, is that Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, according to Trump. He emphasized that this is an unacceptable outcome, stating that it is something that cannot be done, and he reaffirmed that the necessary steps will be taken to prevent it from happening. Furthermore, Trump's statement was clear and direct, as he declared that allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon is not a viable option, and he assured that it will not be permitted to occur. Jonathan Allen, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in covering national politics, is currently serving as a senior national politics reporter for the news organization NBC News.
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