Tehran has dismissed President Donald Trump’s assertion that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stocks will be destroyed, insisting that ongoing political discussions do not currently include terms for the dismantling of nuclear assets.
Conflicting Accounts of Nuclear Deal
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that while a preliminary political understanding with the United States has been reached, it is not finalized and excludes nuclear issues. The official explicitly denied Trump’s claim that Iran’s enriched uranium reserves are slated for extraction and destruction.
The Iranian news agency Fars described Trump’s statements regarding the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz as a mixture of truth and falsehoods, maintaining that the preliminary agreement contains no provision for the destruction of Iranian uranium.
Tensions Over the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized what he termed excessive U.S. demands. He confirmed discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi regarding the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz, following threats from Trump to bomb Oman if it attempts to impose transit fees in coordination with Iran.
Trump’s Ultimatum at the Situation Room
President Trump announced a meeting with advisors in the White House Situation Room to reach a final decision on the agreement. He stated on Truth Social that Iran must agree to never possess nuclear weapons and demanded that the Strait of Hormuz remain open for unrestricted transit without fees.
Framework for Potential Agreement
Reports suggest U.S. and Iranian negotiators reached a framework for an agreement to end the war, including a 60-day ceasefire extension. The deal proposes that initial negotiations focus on the disposal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, while the U.S. would consider easing sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets.
Kazakhstan’s Role in Nuclear Storage
IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi stated that Kazakhstan is prepared to accept Iranian uranium stocks if a deal is reached. Kazakhstan currently hosts an international bank for low-enriched uranium, a site Grossi believes would be acceptable to both Washington and Tehran for secure storage.
