Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, calling it a major breakthrough in talks that could lead to a peace deal. Speaking to journalists at the White House, Trump stated, “They’ve agreed to give our nuclear dust back,” using the term “nuclear dust” to refer to enriched uranium, which Washington views as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons.
He added that if a deal is finalized, he might personally attend the signing ceremony in Islamabad. Trump described the current state of U.S.-Iran talks as “remarkably close” to a peace agreement, citing “extremely successful” negotiations. He claimed the outcome could bring free oil, reopen the Hormuz Strait, and make “everything beautiful.”
These remarks follow a failed 21-hour negotiation session in Pakistan earlier this month, where the U.S. Sought a 20-year freeze on Iran’s nuclear activities, but Iran only agreed to five years. According to a New York Times report cited in the Hindustan Times, two senior Iranian officials were quoted as saying the talks collapsed due to this disagreement.
Trump likewise said Iran is now “much more flexible” than before, attributing the shift to “four weeks of bombing and strong resistance.” He claimed, “Right now, our relationship with Iran is very good. It’s hard to believe, but after four weeks of bombing and strong resistance, this became possible.”
For more on this story, see Trump Claims Iran is Seeking a Deal in Deep Negotiations.
Meanwhile, Russia has publicly backed Iran’s right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. Speaking in Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that after meeting with the U.S., Iran should either temporarily halt enrichment or insist on its rights — and Russia would support Tehran’s decision either way. He emphasized that all nations have the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under international law.
Lavrov added that Russia and China support any diplomatic effort to establish peace in the Middle East. The Sangbad Pratidin report noted that despite repeated U.S. Objections to Iran’s nuclear program and multiple diplomatic attempts — including recent talks in Islamabad — no mutual understanding has been reached. It recalled that during a prior press briefing, U.S. Vice President JD Vance had voiced American concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The contradictions in the current narrative are stark: although Trump claims Iran is surrendering its enriched uranium, Russia affirms Iran’s legal right to enrich it for civilian use. The U.S. Has long opposed any Iranian enrichment beyond minimal levels, fearing proliferation risks. Yet Trump’s framing suggests a diplomatic win, even as external powers like Russia and China continue to shield Iran’s nuclear sovereignty.
This follows our earlier report, Trump, Iran, and Israel: Escalating Tensions and Global Diplomacy Update.
If verified, Iran’s transfer of enriched uranium would represent a significant concession — one that contradicts its longstanding position and recent resistance in negotiations. But, no independent verification of the transfer has been provided in the sources, and the claim remains solely attributable to Trump’s statements.
What does Trump mean by “nuclear dust”?
Trump uses the term “nuclear dust” to refer to enriched uranium, which the U.S. Views as a material that could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
Why did earlier talks between the U.S. And Iran in Pakistan fail?
Earlier talks failed because the U.S. Sought a 20-year freeze on Iran’s nuclear program, while Iran only agreed to a five-year limit, leading to a collapse in negotiations according to a New York Times report.
What is Russia’s position on Iran’s uranium enrichment?
Russia supports Iran’s right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes and says it will back Tehran’s decision whether to pause enrichment or assert its rights.