President Trump said Friday he will “make a final determination” on a deal with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, drop the US blockade of Iranian ports, and see the US digging out and destroying Iran’s leftover enriched uranium.
In a Truth Social post, Trump made clear he wants the US to get the “nuclear dust” to ensure Tehran cannot ever develop a nuclear weapon.
“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States … in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED,” he wrote.
He also noted that “it is agreed” that the US “is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability” of extracting the uranium.
A diplomatic agreement would be the biggest breakthrough in talks since the US and Israel started their war on Iran on Feb. 28 with the stated goals of preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons, taking out its military and ballistic missile capabilities and encouraging regime change.
The Trump memo of understanding would extend the cease-fire for 60 days, reopen shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and allow the US and Iran to hammer out a new nuclear agreement.
But Iran has repeatedly claimed its nuclear program is only meant for peaceful purposes and that they do not intend to pursue a nuclear weapon.
In fact, the second line of former President Barack Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal held that Tehran “will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
That’s why Trump has sought the total removal of Iran’s enriched uranium and destruction of its ability to enrich more in the future — something the Obama deal stopped short of.
Trump outlined his demands on Truth Social, saying “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.” Tehran would be barred from collecting tolls on ships in the Strait of Hormuz– ensuring “unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions,” Trump said.
“All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers,” he said.
While Trump said he was headed to the Situation Room to make a determination on the agreement, he appeared to hint that lifting the blockade on Iranian ports had already been decided.
“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’” he said. “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”
Trump said that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice” — suggesting that economic relief measures with Iran may be taken up in future negotiations.
The agreement, which the White House confirmed Thursday was under consideration, would then open a new phase of negotiations to further address Iran’s nuclear program.
